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T H E
MERCHANTS’ MAGAZINE
AND
COMMERCIAL REVIEW.
JANUARY,
1 862.
I N T E R N A T I O N A L L A W vs. T H E T R E N T AND SAN J A C I N T O .
F acts a s to S a il in g a n d A rrest of M essrs . M ason a n d S l id e ll —P r in ciples more S a t is
facto ry A uthority th a n P recedents —N a t u r a l J ustice the F ou n dation of I n ternatio nal
L a w — T he r ig h t of S e lf -D efence a n d t h e D u ty of N e utrals not t o b en efit either
B elligerent n a t u r a l l y flo w from it — T h e subject of C o n tra b an d of W a r a necessary
conclusion — T he r ig h t of V isit a n d S e arch , in tim e of w a r , c learly follow s —T nK a ct
of TnE C a p t a in of t o e T r en t in a l l o w in g M essrs. M ason a n d S l id e ll to t a k e p a s
sage on his v essel a gross v io l a t io n of t h e a b o v e prin ciples — St il l t iie ir r em o va l
b y C a p t a in W il k e s w a s w r on g — W e must d e l iv e r them u p to E n glan d if s n s pro perly
D E M A N D S I T O F U S— W e
OW E
IT
TO OU RSELVES N O T
TO A L L O W
SU CH A
CASE TO S T A N D A S A
P recedent — E n glan d should b e calle d u po n to m a k e r e p a r a t io n for the a c t of the
C a p t a in of the T rent in a l l o w in g these C om missioners to t a k e passage on his v e s
se l , &c.
T he seizure o f Messrs. M a so n and S l id e l l has given rise to many
questions of international law, and their arrest on and removal from an
English vessel has been made a ground o f complaint by Great Britain.
These individuals were once Senators o f the United States. For the
past few months, however, they have been engaged in a traitorous con
spiracy to overthrow the government o f which they are subjects, and in
furtherance o f that object have, with others, formed a government of
their own, which has been recognised by England and France as a belliger
ent power. W hen arrested they were on their way to Europe, on board
the T rent , (a merchant vessel carrying the mail and belonging to persons
subjects o f the Queen o f Great Britain,) as commissioners of the govern
ment they had thus helped to form, and for the purpose o f obtaining the
assistance o f European nations in their treasonable endeavors. They
first fled from the United States to Havana, and there, after making known
their object and position, took passage and were received on the T r e n t ,
v o l . x l v i .— n o .
i.
1
2
International Law vs. the Trent and San Jacinto.
[January,
and thus set sail for Southampton. W hile on the voyage the T rent
was intercepted by the S a n J a c in t o , a public armed vessel of the United
States, under command o f Captain W il k e s , Messrs. M a so n and S l id ell
were removed to the S a n J a c in t o , and the T rent was allowed to proceed on
its passage.
In discussing the questions that arise from these facts, or in discussing
any legal question, it is not to be expected that a precedent will always
be found agreeing in every particular with the case at issue. Besides, in
settling international relations, a precedent is not the most satisfactory
authority, for there is, in reality, no tribunal before which questions be
tween States can be adjudicated, and, therefore, a decision in one coun
try may not be adopted by another. But all international law is founded
on certain great principles of right, and a decision made is only an illus
tration of some such principle.
If, therefore, we would come to a correct conclusion as to the rights of
nations in any particular instance, we must first understand, and, during
such a discussion, always remember, what is the foundation, source and
object of international law. Here, too, we can have no difficulty, for all
modern writers agree in stating that the law o f nations consists in the
application of the principles of natural justice to international relations,
and that the great object is to work out as little harm as possible to one
another. As P hillimore, in his learned work, (page 48, vol. 1,) says:
“ From the nature, then, o f States, as from the nature o f individuals,
certain rights and obligations towards each other necessarily spring.
These arc defined and governed by certain laws. These are the laws
which form the bond of justice between nations, 1quee societatis humanoe
vinculum continent,’ and which are the subject o f international jurispru
dence, and the science of the international lawyer—ju s inter gentesl
And then, on page 49, the same writer adds: “ To secure, by law,
throughout the world, the maintenance o f right against the aggression
of the national wrong-doer, is the primary object of the commonwealth
o f States, and the great duty of the society o f societies.”
K ent , also, in his Commentaries (vol. 1, page 2) says:
“ The law o f nations is a complex system, composed o f various ingre
dients. It consists of general principles o f right and justice, equally
suitable to the government o f individuals in a state o f natural equality,
and to the relations and conduct o f nations, and of a collection of usages,
customs and opinions, the growth of civilization and comm erce; and of
a code o f conventional or positive lavr. In the absence of these latter
regulations, the intercourse and conduct of nations are to be governed
by principles fa irly to he deduced from the rights and duties o f nations and
the nature o f moral obligations.”
W h e a t o n , also, ( Wheaton's Elements o f International Law, page 22,)
gives utterance to the same idea when he says: “ International law, as
understood among civilized nations, may be defined as consisting o f those
rules o f conduct which reason deduces as consonant to justice, from the
nature of the society existing among independent nations.”
But we will not multiply these citations. It is evident that here is
the foundation of all international law— the working out of the princi
ples o f natural justice, so that each State may exercise equal rights, and
receive no unnecessary harm or injury from any other State. O f course,
there is a code of conventional or positive law which may be gathered
18 62 .]
International L a w vs. the Trent and San Jacinto.
3
from treaties o f peace, alliance and commerce, declaring, modifying or
defining the pre-existing international law. But no such treaties will be
found to be opposed to this great principle o f justice, except it may be
in the case of some individual nation, which has, perhaps, sold its birth
right for a mess of potage. A treaty o f that kind, however, could not,
of course, ever reach the dignity o f law, as between nations other than
the contracting parties, and cannot, therefore, need noticing here.
t
Growing out, then, o f this ruling principle, is the right o f self-preser
vation, which, as P h il lim o r b says, (vol. 1, page 226,) “ is the first law of
nations as it is o f individuals.” W h e a t o n (page 85) expresses the
same idea a little more fully. H e says: “ O f the absolute international
rights of States, one o f the most essential and important, and that which
lies at the foundation o f all the rest, is the right o f self-preservation.
It is not only a right with respect to other States, but a duty with
respect to its own members, and the most solemn and important which
the State owes to them. This right necessarily involves all other incidental
rights which are essential as means to give effect to the principal end.”
So, also, K ent , in his Commentaries, (vol. 1, page 2 3 ,) says : “ Every
nation has an undoubted right to provide for its own safety and to take
due precaution against distant as well as impending danger. The right
o f self-preservation is paramount to all other considerations.”
P h il l im o r e (on page 2 2 7 , vol. 1) shows the extent and force o f this
principle, when he adds :
“ International law considers the right of self-preservation as prior and
paramount to that o f territorial inviolabilitg, and where they conflict,
justifies the maintenance of the former at the expense o f the latter right.”
So, also, we find V attel (vol. 3, c. 7, § 1 3 3 ) maintaining the same view :
“ It is certain that if my neighbor gives refuge to my enemies when they
would have been worsted, and have found themselves too feeble to escape me,
leaving them time to collect themselves and to watch for an occasion to try a
new invasion of my land, this conduct, so prejudicial to my safety and my
interests, would be incompatible with neutrality. When, then, my van
quished enemies withdraw themselves to his domain, if charity does not
permit him to refuse them passage and safety, he ought to make them
pass beyond or outside as soon as possible, and not to suffer them to lie
in wait to attack me afresh. Otherwise he gives me the right to go and
seek them upon his land.”
There are also in the books many cases illustrating the great extent to
which this principle has been carried. W e shall, however, content our
selves with the citation o f but one o f them, which is familiar to all. W e
refer to the case o f the capture o f the C a r o l in e , in 1838. It w ill be
remembered that Great Britain alleged the Canadian rebels not only
found shelter on the American frontier of the Niagara, but that they
obtained arms by force from the American arsenals, and that shots were
fired from an island within the American territories, while a steamer
called the C ar o l in e was employed in the transport o f munitions o f war
to the island, which, when not so employed, wms moored off the American
shore. In this state o f things a British captain and crew having boarded,
forcibly captured and fired the C a r o l in e , cut her adrift and sent her
down the falls o f Niagara. The act was made the subject o f complaint
by the American government, on the ground o f violation o f territory,
and vindicated by Great Britain on the ground o f self-preservation. If
4
International Law vs. the Trent and San Jacinto.
[January,
this version of the facts was correct, it was undoubtedly a complete vin
dication of the act.
Thus, then, we see how far this right of self-preservation allows a nation
to go, in enforcing its rights. And might we not stop here and show that
there is, as a mere matter o f principle, very little difference between en
tering upon neutral territory, as the English thus did, for the purpose o f
seizing the vessel in question, and the visiting and searching the ship of
a neutral and taking from it rebels who were on their way to a neutral
territory for the purpose of there plotting and working out the destruc
tion of their country ? W ere there no law known among nations, giving
a State the right, under such circumstances, of visiting a neutral vessel
and obtaining possession o f such agents of evil, certainly this law of selfpreservation would dictate and necessitate it.
But there is still another fundamental principle of international law,
regulating the acts of neutrals during a war, which principle naturally
follows from the foregoing. W e have seen above, that where a neutral
harbors either belligerent, his territory loses its inviolability. From this
rule we easily deduce the more general one, that a neutral must not take
any part in the contest; he has noyight to favor or injure either belliger
ent. This principle— so eminently just in itself—is too familiar to need
more than a passing notice. Among the nations of antiquity, the right
o f one to remain at peace while other neighboring nations were engaged
in war, was not admitted to exist. He who was not an ally was an enemy.
But since international relations were “ regulated by the principles of
justice applicable to those relations,” a different rule has existed, and
‘ middle-men,’ as G kotius calls them, will be found during every conflict.
If, however, a nation would hold the office o f a neutral, and retain the
rights and privileges of such a position, all its acts must be free from
favor towards either belligerent. B y n k e r s iio e k says, ( Bynhershoek,
Quaesl. Jur. Pub. lib. 1, cap. 9 :) “ The duty o f neutrals is to be every way
careful not to interfere in the war, and to do equal and exact justice to both
parties; *
*
* as to what relates to the war, let them not prefer
one party to the other, and this is the only proper conduct for neutrals.”
P h il l im o r e , in treating of this same subject, says, (vol. 3, page 202 :)
“ The neutral is justly and happily designated by the Latin expression in
hello medius. It is o f the essence of his character that he so retain this
central position as to incline to neither belligerent. He has no ju s bellicum him self; but he is entitled to the continuance of his ordinary ju s
pads, with, as will presently be seen, certain curtailments and modifica
tions which flow from the altered state o f the general relations o f all
countries in time o f war. H e must do nothing by which the condition o f
either belligerent may be bettered or strengthened— quo validor fiat."
In the light of these citations, and numberless others to the same
effect that might he made, can there be any doubt but that the captain
o f the T rent was doing an hostile act in conveying, as he did, the.
commissioners of the Confederate States? Was he not doing all he
could to benefit one belligerent and injure the other? It will not be
pretended that the character o f these persons, and the object of their
mission, was unknown. If any harm could be done the United States,
it was known that it was the object o f these commissioners to do it.
The captain o f that vessel lent himself to the service o f the Confederate
States for that purpose, and, in doing so, grossly violated the character
18 62 .]
International Law vs. the Trent and San Jacinto.
5
o f a neutral. W e submit, therefore, that the principle o f self-defence, so
nobly illustrated by Great Britain in the case of the C a r o l in e above re
ferred to, would, under such circumstances, require us to prevent the
consummation of such an act- by similar means, did the law of nations
furnish no other remedy.
But still there was no necessity for following such an extraordinary
precedent, nor could we be justified in doing so, since (if for no other
reason) we have a very simple remedy, and, had it only been properly
used, an effectual one ; for, growing out o f the foregoing principles, has
arisen the doctrine o f contraband o f war; and the right of visit and
search in time o f war necessarily follows. W e have seen above that
a neutral has no right to strengthen or injure either belligerent. As a
conclusion, then, from this principle, certain articles have been admitted
by all nations to be contraband, and the general freedom of neutral com
merce ivith the respective belligerent powers is, therefore, subject to such
exceptions. The reason for this restriction exists in the fact, as we have
stated, that “ the principles of natural justice require” no assistance in
the war should be furnished by a neutral to either party. As Mr. J e n k in so n , afterwards Lord L iv e r p o o l , in his “ discourse on the conduct o f
Great Britain to neutral nations,” in 1758, says:
“ The liberty o f navigation, in fair construction, can mean no more
than the right of carrying to any mart, unmolested, the product o f one’s
own country or labor, and bring back whatever may be received in return
for it; but can it he lawful that you should extend that right to my detri
ment— that you should exert it in the cause o f my enemy f ”
If, therefore, we wish to determine, at any time, whether any article is
contraband, all we have to know is whether the article in question would
necessarily help to advance the interests o f either belligerent. Warlike
instruments or materials, by their own nature, fit to be used in war, are
not the only weapons a belligerent can make serviceable. Strategy is
frequently more effective than bullets. Therefore, all messages or messen
gers, despatches or commissioners, sent by a belligerent for the purpose
of strengthening his cause in the war, are contraband.
W e thus reach this position as a natural and necessary conclusion from
the foregoing principles, and one could not but feel perfect confidence in
its correctness, even had nothing ever been written or decided on this
point. For it is pre-eminently just that my friend (a neutral) should not
he allowed to help my enemy. This would seem to be particularly the
case when a nation is laboring to put down a rebellion that threatens its
very existence. Then, if ever, a neutral should keep aloof; for if she is
to assist such an enemy in its strategic movements, (in its endeavors to
obtain the help o f other nations to assist in the destruction o f its coun
try,) how tenfold worse than an open enemy she becomes. But, as we
have seen, the ability legally to do such injustice does not exist, and a
moment’s examination will show us that all writers on international law
unite in declaring, in the broadest terms, despatches and commissioners,
or embassadors, contraband.
W e find this doctrine very clearly laid down by P iiil l im o r e , in his
work on international law, which we have several times before referred to.
He says, (vol. 3, page 370:)
“ Official despatchesfrom an official person on the public affairs o f the bel
ligerent government impress a hostile character upon the carriers o f them.
6
International Law vs. the Trent and San Jacinto.
[January,
The mischievous consequences of such a service cannot be estimated,
and extend far beyond the effect of any contraband that can be conveyed,
for it is manifest that by the carriage o f such despatches the most im
portant operations of a belligerent may bo forwarded or obstructed. In
general cases of contraband the quantity of the article carried may bo a
material circumstance, but the smallest despatch may suffice to turn the
fortunes o f war in favor of a particular belligerent.”
On page 399 o f the same volume he adds : “ As to carrying o f military
persons in the employ o f a belligerent, or being in any way engaged in
his transport service, it has been most solemnly decided by the tribunals
of international law, both in England and the United States of North
America, that these are acts of hostility on the part of the neutral, which
subject the vehicle in which the persons are conveyed to confiscation at
the hands o f the belligerent.”
W il d m a n , in his Institutes, makes use o f the following language:
“ It is the right o f the belligerent to intercept and cut off all commu
nication by despatches. It is not to be said, therefore, that this or that
letter is of small moment. The true criterion will be, is it on the public
business of the State, and passing between public persons in the public
service? I f the papers so taken relate to public concerns, be they great or
small, civil or military, the court will not split hairs, and consider their
relative importance. What appear small words, or what may, perhaps,
be artfully disguised, may relate to objects o f infinite importance.”
So, also, Chancellor K ent , (vol. 1, page 152,) says :
“ There are other acts o f illegal assistance afforded to a belligerent be
sides supplying him with contraband goods, and relieving his distress
under a blockade. Among these acts, the conveyance o f hostile despatches
is the most injurious, and deemed to be o f the most hostile and noxious
character. The carrying o f two or three cargoes o f stores is necessarily
an assistance o f a limited nature; but in the transmission o f despatches
may be conveyed the entire plan o f a campaign, and it way lead to a defeat
o f all the projects o f the other belligerent in that theatre of the war.
The appropriate remedy fo r this offence is the confiscation o f the ship ; and
in doing so, the courts make no innovation on the ancient law, but they
only apply established principles to new combinations o f circumstances.
There would be no penalty in the mere confiscation o f the despatches.
The proper and efficient remedy is the confiscation o f the vehicle employed to
carry them ; and if any privity subsists between the owners of the cargo
and the master, they are involved by implication in his delinquency.”
W h e a t o n , also, is equally explicit on this point. He says, (page 562 :)
“ O f the same nature with the carrying of contraband goods is the trans
portation of military persons or despatches in the service o f the enemy.”
Then, on page 565, we find this same learned commentator quoting and
approving of the following extract from the opinion o f Sir W ill ia m S cott ,
in the case of the O ro ze m b o , (Robinson's Adm. Rep. vol. 6, p. 430 :)
“ The carrying of two or three cargoes o f stores is necessarily an assist
ance o f a limited nature ; but in the transmission o f despatches may be con
veyed the entire plan o f a campaign that may defeat all the projects o f the
other belligerent in that quarter o f the world. It is true, as has been said,
that one ball might take off C h a r l e s X II., and might produce the most
disastrous effects in a campaign; but that is a consequence so remote and
accidental, that in the contemplation of human events it is a sort of eva
1862.]
International Law vs. the Trent and San Jacinto.
1
nescent quantity, o f which no account is taken, and the practice has been,
accordingly, that it is only in considerable quantities that the offence o f
contraband is contemplated. The case o f despatches is very different; it
is impossible to limit a letter to so small a size as not to be capable of
producing the most important consequences; it is a service, therefore,
which, in whatever degree it exists, can only be considered in one cha
racter, as an act o f the most noxious and hostile nature.”
This principle has also been frequently recognised and adopted by the
English government in her official acts. In the declaration o f war by
England against Russia, o f the 28th March, 1854, we find the following
language :
“ It is impossible for Her Majesty to forego her right o f seizing arti
cles contraband of war, and o f preventing neutrals from hearing enemies'
despatches."
So, too, in the recent proclamation o f neutrality of May 13, 1861, made
with reference to this very war, the following language is used:
“ And we do hereby warn all our loving subjects, and all persons what
soever entitled to our protection, that if any o f them shall presume, in
contempt o f this our royal proclamation and o f our high displeasure, to
do any acts in derogation of their duty as subjects o f a neutral sovereign
in the said contest, or in violation or contravention o f the law o f nations
in that behalf, as, for example, and more especially by entering into the
military service o f either o f the said contending parties, *
*
or hy
carrying officers, soldiers, despatches, arms, military stores or materials, or
any article or articles considered and deemed to he contraband o f war, ac
cording to the law or modern usage o f nations, for the use or service o f
either o f the said contending parties— all persons so offending will incur,
and be liable to the several penalties and penal consequences by the said
statute, or by the law o f nations in that behalf imposed or denounced.
And we do hereby declare that all our subjects and persons entitled to
our protection who may misconduct themselves in the premises, will do
so at their peril, and o f their own wrong, and that they will in no wise
obtain any protection from us against any liabilities or penal consequences,
but will, on the contrary, incur our high displeasure by such misconduct."
Could any thing be clearer than the position taken by all com
mentators, and by England herself, on this very question ? But we for
bear making farther citations to the same effect. Nor can it be neces
sary to add any thing for the purpose of showing that if despatches are thus
objectionable, embassadors (living despatches) are still more objection
able. It would, indeed, be a very strange doctrine to insist that, although
the despatches are contraband and can be seized, yet you must not seize
the embassador who carries them, and who has, probably, committed
them all to memory. But the question is too plain to admit o f discussion
or comment. It cannot be urged either that these embassadors were ex
empt from arrest, since such exemption does not, and has never been
claimed to attach to their person until after they have arrived at their
destination. They may be stopped at any time on their passage.
In the case of the C a r o l in e , (6 C. Robinson, 467,) Sir W il l ia m S cott
(afterwards Lord S t o w e l l ) says, on this p oin t:
“ The limits that arc assigned to the operations o f war against them,
by V attel and other writers upon these subjects, are that you may ex
8
International Law vs. the Trent and San Jacinto.
[January
ercise your right o f war against them wherever the character o f hostility
exists; you may stop the embassador o f your enemy on his passage."
Dr. P h il lim o r e also says, ( Commentaries, p. 368,) that—
“ I t is, indeed, competent to a belligerent to stop the embassador o f his
enemy on his passage.”
And W h e a t o n (p. 566) approves of and quotes the opinion o f Sir W i l
l ia m S cott , above referred to, as follows:
“ The limits assigned to the operations o f war against embassadors by
writers on public law are, that the belligerent may exercise his right of
war against them wherever the character o f hostility exists. H e may
stop the embassador o f his enemy on his passage, but when he has arrived
in the neutral country and takes on himself the functions of his office,
and has been admitted in his representative character, he becomes a sort
o f middle-man, entitled to peculiar privileges, as set apart for the preser
vation of the relations o f amity and peace, in maintaining which all na
tions are in some degree interested.”
Thus we will find this principle incorporated into all the text-books,
and rightly so. Por embassadors and despatches of an enemy may, as we
have seen, work out the greatest harm to the other belligerent, and hence
a neutral cannot be allowed to carry either towards their destination;
they are contraband.
But from this doctrine, as we have said above, necessarily flows the
right of visit and search in time o f war.
A s V atte l says, (Book 3, ch. 8, § 1 1 : ) “ W e cannot prevent the
conveyance of contraband goods without searching vessels that we meet
at sea ; we have, therefore, a right to search them.” C iiit t y , in his notes
to V a t t e l , says: “ Clearly the right of search exists practically as well
as theoretically.” M a n n in g says, p. 3 5 0 : “ The right on the part o f
ships of war to search merchant vessels during the continuance of war has
been granted by all writers o f any authority. The right of search is, in
deed, a sort of necessary complement to the right o f confiscating contra
band and the property of enemies.” I I azlett and R o c h e , Ed. 1854, pp.
27 0 , 2 7 2 , after laying down the same rule, say : “ The duty o f self-pro
tection sanctions this right. It is founded upon necessity, and is exclu
sively and strictly a war right, and does not rightfully exist in time of
peace.”
C h an cellor K ent also expresses h im self w ith his usual clearness on
this p o i n t :
“ In order to enforce the rights o f belligerent nations against the de
linquencies o f neutrals, and to determine the real as well as the assumed
character of all vessels on the high seas, the law o f nations arms them
with the practical power o f visitation and search. The duty o f self-pre
servation gives to belligerent nations this right. It is founded upon ne
cessity, and is strictly and exclusively a war right, and does not rightful
ly exist in time of peace, unless conceded by treaty. All writers upon
the law o f nations and the highest authorities acknowledge the right
in time of war, as resting on sound principles of jurisprudence, and
upon the institutes and practice o f all great maritime powers. And
if, upon making the search, the vessel be found employed in contraband
trade, or in carrying enemy's property, or troops, or d e s p a t c h e s , she is
liable to be taken and brought in fo r adjudication before a prize court."
1862.]
International Law vs. the Trent and San Jacinto.
9
Mr. M e r c y , British Minister at Copenhagen, in 1800, wrote to Count
B e r n s to f f :
“ The right of visiting and examining in the open sea merchant ves
sels, o f whatever nation, or whatever may be their destination, is regard
ed by- the British government as the incontestable right of every nation
at war.”
Lord W h it w o r t h , the special envoy, wrote on the same occasion :
“ The right claimed by the King of England is the necessary result
of the state of war. If the principle is once admitted, that a Danish
frigate can guarantee from search six merchant vessels o f that nation, it
follows, naturally, that any power can extend protection over all the ene
mies’ commerce. All that is required is to find in the world some one
neutral state, however insignificant, sufficiently friendly to our enemies
to be willing to lend her flag to cover their commerce without any risk
to herself—for once the power o f search is taken away, fraud will no
longer fear discovery.”
This doctrine, however, cannot be more strongly stated than it was by
Lord S t o w e l l , in the case o f the M a r ia , (1 Rob. Rep. p. 340,) as fol
lows:
“ The right of visiting and searching merchant ships upon the high
seas, whatever be the ships, ichatever be the cargoes, whatever be the destina
tions, is an incontestable right of the lawfully-commissioned cruisers o f a
belligerent nation. * * * This right is so clear in principle that no
man can deny it who admits the legality o f maritime capture. * * *
The right is equally clear in practice, for practice is uniform and univer
sal upon this subject. The many European treaties which refer to this
right, refer to it as pre-existing, and merely regulate the exercise o f it.
All writers upon the law o f nations unanimously acknowledge it. In
short, no man, in the least degree conversant with subjects of this kind,
has ever, that I know of, breathed a doubt upon it.”
This right, then, of visit and search, and these principles o f contra
band of war being thus plain and incontestable, the fact that these commis
sioners went on board the T ren t at a neutral port, can in nowise weaken
or alter the above conclusions. That fact might be o f importance (on
the question o f confiscating the vessel) if a plea of ignorance were made,
as was, for instance, in the case of the K a p id ; (Ed wards' Adm. Rep. 228;)
but no such plea can bo put in here, nor are wc discussing any question
as to the disposition o f the vessel. In the case wc refer to the court said:
“ It must be understood, that where a party, for want of precaution,
suffers despatches to be conveyed on board his vessel, the plea o f ignorance
will not avail him. His caution must be proportioned to the circum
stances under which such papers are received. I f he is taking his de
parture from a hostile port in a hostile country, and, still more, if the
letters which are brought to him are addressed to persons resident in
a hostile country, he is called upon to exercise the utmost jealousy with
regard to what papers he takes on board. On the other hand, it is to be
observed, that where the commencement o f the voyage is in a neutral
country, and it is to terminate at a neutral port, or, as in this instance, at
a port to which, though not neutral, an open trade is allowed, in such a
case there is less to excite his vigilance, and therefore it may be proper
to make some allowance fo r any imposition which may be practiced upon
him."
10
International Law vs. the Trent and San Jacinto.
[January,
This same distinction is also referred to by F h i l l i m o r e , (vol. 3, p. 3 7 1 ,)
in very similar language, showing that, in the opinion of that commentator,
the fact that the voyage was commenced in a neutral territory, was of im
portance only on the question whether the vessel should be confiscated.
The despatches or embassadors would be, of course, none the less con
traband. He says: “ W ith respect to such a case as might exempt the
carrier o f despatches from the usual penalty, (that is, from the confisca
tion of his vessel,) it is to be observed, that where the commencement of
the voyage is in a neutral country, and is to terminate at a neutral port,
or at a port which, though not neutral, an open trade is allowed, in such
a case there is less to excite the vigilance o f the master, and therefore it
m aybe proper to make some allowance for any imposition which may be
practiced upon him. But when a neutral master receives papers on
board in a hostile port, he receives them at his own hazard, and cannot
be heard to avow his ignorance o f a fact with which, by due inquiry, he
might have made himself acquainted.”
Besides, there would be no reason or justice in any other view of the
matter. If a neutral conveys on board his vessel commissioners of a bel
ligerent, he, o f course, helps one party and injures the other, and this
clearly must be so, whether he takes them from a neutral or belligerent
port. This principle o f non-interference by a neutral is, as we have seen
above, the one from which is derived the whole doctrine o f contraband
o f war, and must control this question, until a congress o f nations or
some other authorized body makes the requisite limitation in the appli
cation of the principle.
W e have thus discussed these questions and reached these conclusions,
relying solely on the great admitted principles o f international law, (as
laid down by all elementary writers,) not striving to find precedents coin
ciding with the facts before us. Reference might, however, be made to
many cases throwing light upon the one at issue. The arrest o f Mr.
I I e n r v L a u r e n s , during our Revolutionary war, furnishes many points
o f resemblance, though we have not been able to satisfy ourselves that
he was on a neutral vessel. So, too, the case o f the A t l a n t ic , (6 Rob.
Adm. Rep. 440,) and o f the C a r o l in e , (6 Rob. 461,) and o f the S u s a n ,
(an American ship condemned in the British Admiralty Court in April
1, 1803,) all tend to strengthen, if possible, the conclusions we have come
to above. But we shall not enlarge upon them here, or even call atten
tion to other cases which might be cited; for we deem the conclusions
we have reached to be so clearly in accordance with every principle of
international law that precedents could not add any thing to the argu
ment.
But although the law seems to be clear on all the points we have dis
cussed, and although we think the captain of the T ren t was acting ille
gally, and with the grossest injustice towards the United States, in allowing
these commissioners to take passage on his vessel, still we cannot bring
ourselves to believe that Captain W il k e s was right in transferring
Messrs. M aso n and S l id e l l to the S a n J a c in t o , and allowing the T ren t
to proceed on her passage. These commissioners would be most cer
tainly (were the question properly presented to any prize court in Eng
land or the United States) declared contraband, as we have seen above,
and the vessel be confiscated. But that is a question a court alone has
power to decide, and not the captain of a public vessel. The rule o f
1862.]
International Law vs. the Trent and San Jacinto.
11
law is this (and there is no exception to the rule which will apply to the
facts we are discussing :) that if a belligerent thinks there is any thing con
traband o f war on a neutral vessel, he may stop the vessel and search it.
If, after such search made, he finds what he still thinks is contraband, he
then has the right merely to take the vessel into port, and there a court of
competent jurisdiction must pass upon it. One is not, of course, allowed to
assume what will bo the court’s decision, and act as if it had been made,
however clear the facts may appear to make the question. The law does not
allow o f such summary proceedings. There must be in all cases a judg
ment o f the court before an execution can be issued. Captain W il k e s ,
however, assumed that the court would declare these commissioners con
traband, and acted as if it had done so. Whereas he had just as much
right to confiscate the vessel on the spot, as he did have to carry olf these
commissioners.
Since, however, this point is of the greatest importance for a proper
understanding o f the true position o f the government o f the United
States on this whole question, it is well enough, perhaps, for us to
examine it a little more closely, and see if we cannot discover what
policy, reason and justice dictate should be our decision here. This ap
pears to us to be particularly desirable, as our late European despatches
indicate that Great Britain intends to rely solely upon this point, in the
demands she may make upon us. If we, as a nation, are wrong in the
step we have taken, no one will be unwilling to acknowledge it. Those
who would defend most earnestly the right, are the readiest always to
acknowledge error.
What, then, is the basis of all intercourse between nations ; or, per
haps we should ask, in what way do the rules o f international etiquette
require us to act in all our intercourse with friendly States ? The answer
is most simple and familiar to every one— that we must act with the
greatest comity. This means, too, as all know, not only with politeness
and kindness, but with the extreme o f respect, formality and considera
tion. An illustration will be found in the treatment embassadors must
receive, and in the nature o f all written communications between States.
In the every day intercourse of individuals, forms and ceremonies we
can frequently dispense with, but in intercourse between States no such
liberty is or should be allowed. W e rightly demand this o f other na
tions, and arc of course willing that they should require it o f us. I f
this, then, is so, if the mere forms o f etiquette in all friendly intercourse
arc insisted upon so earnestly, how far more important is it that the forms
of law should be strictly complied with, when we arc enforcing our bel
ligerent rights against neutrals. It must be remembered, too, in this con
nection, that the right to interfere in any way with neutral commerce is
not an absolute right, but one granted by neutrals, because justice and the
necessities of nations require it. But in granting the right, the mode of
executing it has at the same time been laid down, and is a part really o f
the grant itself. How imperative is it, therefore, that one should, in exe
cuting such a right between such parties, act in accordance with law,
and not illegally.
But again we have seen above what is required o f a belligerent in exe
cuting this right; that, while granting the privilege, safeguards have been
thrown about the neutral nation and neutral commerce, so that no mere
suspicion, nor even any supposed knowledge o f individuals, can take final
12
International Law vs. the Trent and San Jacinto.
[January,
action in the premises. W e have also seen how just and reasonable it is
that this should be so. In our own State we have, as citizens of that State,
granted to all others certain rights as against u s; but wc are very careful
that the manner of executing such rights should be strictly legal. What
should we think o f the man who, because he deems his claim just, appro
priates our property to himself before the court has passed upon the claim
itself? As we have said before, -we always require a judgment before an
execution can be issued. And can a neutral nation for a moment admit
a different rule ? Can she allow a belligerent to usurp the position o f a
court, and determine that what she is carrying is contraband ? Can she
allow the belligerent to confiscate the so-called contraband goods with
out even the form of a trial ? W hy, piracy in its worst phase would be
hardly worse than such a state of law, or, we might better say, lawlessness.
Then, too, there is no nation in the world that ought to be more ear
nest than our own in endeavoring to prevent such a ease passing as a prece
dent. W e have always been battling for the rights of neutrals and against
the encroachment of belligerents. And how clearly is it for our interest
still to do so, unless we intend to indefinitely increase our naval force. And
even then, could we ever submit to allow belligerents thus to interfere
with our commerce, to permit captains o f vessels to usurp the position
o f the court, and seize and carry off goods, letters and passengers, be
cause, in his opinion, they were contraband ? But the case is too evident
an invasion of neutral rights to require argument. W e submit, therefore,
we are clearly wrong in endeavoring to support this act of Captain
W il k e s . It is evidently against our interest, against all reason and jus
tice to do so, and it only remains, therefore, for us to repudiate the act,
make what reparation we can, and by no means ever allow it to remain
as a precedent.
In regard to our giving up Messrs. M aso n and S l id e l l , there cannot,
in our opinion, be a doubt as to its being our duty to do so. No one can
feel more strongly than we do the baseness of the crime those men have
committed, nor would any one speak in severer terms of the unfriendli
ness of the act of the captain of the T ren t in giving them a passage ;
and we believe that England will be entirely willing, if we demand it,
to make any reparation she can for this violation o f her neutrality. But
these considerations do not, in our opinion, affect our position and duty.
If we have done illegally in seizing these commissioners, certainly we
must set ourselves right. An apology or a repudiation of the act would,
of course, amount to nothing, so long as we retained the benefit of the
act. If we are wrong, we cannot get right until we have given up the
advantage we have obtained by our wrong. Had Captain W il k e s taken
the vessel and appropriated it to himself and crew, before any court had
passed upon the questions involved, what would an apology amount to
unless accompanied with an offer to restore the vessel or its equivalent.
Neither is our position an anomalous one. It is always necessary in
legal proceedings that we should proceed rightly, or else pay the penalty
o f our mistake. A litigant may have the justest claim on earth, and still,
if he comes into court incorrectly, ho will be nonsuited, and perhaps lose
his claim, and have to pay his adversary’s costs. We may say this is
not ju s t; and yet, if we reflect a moment, wo will see that the law is not
to blame. It furnishes every claimant with a remedy, but if one fails to
take the proper course for obtaining redress, it is the ignorance of the
18 62 .]
International Law vs. the Trent and San Jacinto.
13
claimant, and not the injustice o f the law, that works out the evil. So in
this case we had a remedy, and had we proceeded properly we should
have obtained all we desired. But, instead of that, we have committed
an error, and must, without doubt, suffer the penalty o f our mistake. It is
certainly an unfortunate affair ; but we do not, o f course, think any blame
should attach to Captain W il k e s . He acted necessarily without instruc
tions, yet his motives and intentions were in the highest degree praise
worthy. He was truly endeavoring to serve his country in seizing the
commissioners, and to accommodate the passengers o f the T ren t and
show England his good will by not detaining the vessel. That he did not
at once see the full force o f the law o f the case, is not at all to be wondered
at. A good captain is not frequently an experienced lawyer.
Still neither these good motives nor ignorance o f the law can alter the
legal effect of the act, and we see, therefore, no escape from the unpleas
ant duty of delivering up these commissioners, if England demands it of
us properly.
But, on the other hand, we have a very serious claim on England,
growing out o f this transaction, which should be adjudicated. W e have
seen above that the captain o f the T re n t grossly violated the character
o f a neutral in lending himself to the service o f the Confederate States;
that he did all he could to benefit one belligerent and injure the other.
I f so decided an injustice as this, so evident a violation of international
law is to go unrebuked, we think all would unite in saying that even war
itself is preferable to such neutrality. B u tin our opinion England has
no wish to do us, at the present time, an injustice. It is not strange that
she, like any other nation, should first consult her own interest, nor that
the upholders o f a monarchy should suppose they see in our existing
difficulties the natural decay of free institutions. All this must be ex
pected, their view o f our troubles being from a different stand-point and
through a different medium from ours. If, therefore, she is simply just in
her acts towards us, and neutral in her position, we have no right to de
mand or hope for more, and this much we believe she will willingly grant
us. When, therefore, the proper demand is made on her, all the repara
tion we could ask for this unfriendly act o f the captain o f the T ren t
we shall undoubtedly receive. A somewhat similar case happened in
1847, during our war with Mexico. In August o f that year the British
mail packet T e v io t , Captain M a y , carried over from Havana to Yera
Cruz General P a r e d e s , ex-President o f Mexico. Our government, through
Mr. B a n c r o f t , our Minister at London at the time, presented the matter
to the British Cabinet, complaining o f this act o f Captain M a y , and de
manding his dismissal from the service of his government. Lord P a l
m ersto n , November 16, 1847, admitted the justice o f our complaint, and
announced that the offending officer had been dismissed.
A similar demand made now in the case o f the T ren t will, in our
opinion, bring a similar result. A t all events, let us not go to war so long
as we are in the wrong, and until we have just cause o f complaint, which
cannot be settled in a less violent way.
14
Survey o f the Isthmus o f Darien.
S UR V E Y
OF
REPORT B Y
TIIE
E.
I S T HMUS
OF
[January,
DARI EN.
CULLEN", M . D ., M . R . C. 8 . E.
66 North Cumberland-street, Dublin, November, 1861.
I h a v e lately learnt with great satisfaction that several French engi
neers, under the direction of M. B o n a r d i o l , have made a partial explo
ration of the Isthmus o f Darien, and are to sail for Darien again next
month, to make a detailed survey o f the line for a ship canal between
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. There is thus, at length, a prospect o f
this grand project being carried into execution. The line about to be
surveyed, which was discovered by me in 1849, after several.long and
perilous explorations in different directions through the forests, extends
from the Gulf o f San Miguel, on the Pacific, in a direction N. E. by E. .}
E. by compass, to Caledonia Harbor and Port Escoces on the Atlantic.
The Gulf of San Miguel receives numerous rivers, the largest of which
are the Tuyra and the Savana, which unite together just before falling
into it. The Savana is navigable for the largest ships up to the conflu
ence o f the Lara with it, that is, for fourteen miles towards the Atlantic.
From the confluence o f the Lara with the Savana, at which point the
future canal will commence, the line extends to the Chuquanaqua, a dis
tance o f 12 miles. From the Chuquanaqua the line follows the bed o f
the Sucubti, one o f its tributaries, up to the confluence o f the Asmati
with the Sucubti, a distance o f nine miles; and then continues along the
bed o f the same river Sucubti to a point nine miles higher up. From that
point to the Atlantic the distance is six miles. The whole length of the
projected canal will therefore be 35 nautical, or nearly 41 English miles.
After my first explorations in 1849, for which previous travels in the
interior o f British Guiana, (Demerara, Essequibo, &c.,) Spanish Guiana,
(Venezuela,) and many other forest countries in both hemispheres had
wrell qualified me, I made subsequent voyages to and explorations in Da
rien in 1850, 1851 and 1852, alone, and at my own expense. I then
proceeded to Bogota, the capital o f New-Granada, where I applied to the
Congress, who passed a law, granting a privilege for cutting the canal,
together with a concession of all the lands necessary, and o f 200,000
acres in addition, to E d w a r d C u llen , C h a r l e s F o x , J ohn H e n d e r s o n
and T h om as B r a s s e y . The above law received the exequatur o f J ose
H il a r io L o p e z , the President, and o f J ose M a r ia P l a t a , the Secretary
for Foreign Affairs, on the 1st o f June, 1852.
Soon after my return to London with the concession, the Atlantic
and Pacific Junction Company was formed, with the object o f carrying
the project into execution. On the 29th o f March, 1853, the Emperor
N a p o l e o n gave an audience to a deputation o f fifteen, consisting o f Sir
C h a r l e s F o x , Mr. B r a s s e y , several o f the directors o f the company, and
myself, invited us to dine with him at the Tuileries, and declared his de
termination to cut the canal, if it were practicable.
On the l l t h o f December, 1853, Mr. L io n e l G is b o r n e , Messrs.
1862.]
Survey o f the Isthmus o f Darien.
15
rm stro n g and B ond , the company’s en
gineers, and myself, sailed from Southampton in the W est India mail
steamer O r in o c o , for St. Thomas, whence the assistant engineers pro
ceeded to Navy Bay and Panama, and thence to the Gulf o f San Miguel
and the River Savana, to survey the line from the Pacific towards the
Atlantic side; while Mr. G isb o r n e and myself proceeded to Jamaica, in
the T e v io t , and thence, in H. M. S„ E s p ie g l e , to Caledonia Harbor,
where we arrived on the 21st of January, 1854. In February and March,
1854, II. M. S. E s p ie g l e , Commander H a n c o c k , II. M. S. D e v a s t a t io n ,
Commander D e H o r s e y , the French war steamer C h im e re (avis), Capt.
J a u r e ig u ib e r r y , and the United States sloop of war C y a n e , Capt. H ol
l in s , lay at anchor in Caledonia Harbor; and H. M. steamer V i r a g o ,
Commander M a r s h a l l , lay in the Savana River, with the object of
affording assistance to the engineers. A t the same time II. M. surveying
ship S c o r p io n , Commander P a r s o n s , was engaged in surveying the A t
lantic harbors and coast for the Hydrographic Office. It may be neces
sary to state that no British, French or American man-of-war had ever
before anchored either in Caledonia Harbor or in the Savana River. Dur
ing the above two months, the line, from the Pacific to the point on the
Sucubti, mentioned above as being six miles distant from the Atlantic,
was surveyed by the assistant engineers, and found, so far, to present
every facility for the excavation of a canal. But, of the six miles not sur
veyed, Mr. G isb o r n e , after a most cursory, hurried and imperfect reconnoissance in a wrong direction, reported that three miles would require to be
tunnelled, although he admitted, in the same report, that “ his examina
tion of the country was by no means complete.” Upon this, the com
pany, deeming the presumed necessity for a tunnel a formidable obstacle,
immediately dissolved, returning the shareholders the amounts of their
deposits, without any deduction.
Five months afterwards, however, the Admiralty published the “ Sur
vey of Caledonia Harbor and Port Escoces,” by Commander P a r so n s , o f
II. M . surveying ship S c o r p io n , in which a wide and low valley is plainly
laid down immediately to the northwest of the mountain, which, accord
ing to Mr. G isb o r n e ’ s report, would render a tunnel necessary. The ex
istence of that valley, which is marked in P a r s o n ’ s “ Survey” precisely
in the position assigned to it by me four years before the expedition
went out, completely obviates the necessity for a tunnel. I repeatedly
offered to guide Mr. G isb o r n e to it, and had accompanied the expedition
for that purpose; but that gentleman was actuated by so strong a desire
to find out a valley for himself, and to mark out a line in a direction dif
ferent from that indicated by me, that he not only refused me permission
to accompany him, but gave directions that I was not to be allowed to
leave the ship, so that I was actually a prisoner on board the E s p ie g l e
while Mr. G isb o r n e was “ botching” my project. Having failed in his
rambling and ill-directed attempts to find a valley between the range o f
mountains which runs parallel to the coast, Mr. G isbo rn e hastily “ con
cluded his surveying operations on the 29th of March,” and returned to
London with his celebrated report about the tunnel, which threw com
plete discredit on my statements. Fortunately for me, however, the sur
vey made by that distinguished officer, Commander P a r so n s , completely
stultifies Mr. G isb o r n e ’ s report, and confirms the veracity and accuracy
of my original statements as to the existence of the valley.
F o r d e , B en n ett , D e v e n is h , A
Right o f Search.
16
[January,
In 1857, the Emperor N a p o l e o n carefully examined the maps, plans
and documents which I submitted to him, and referred the question to
a commission of engineers o f the Corps Imperial des Fonts et Chaussees. The report drawn up by that commission, and presented to the
Emperor by Count W a l e w s k i , was decidedly in favor o f the practicabili
ty of the canal without a tunnel.
In 1859 I went again to Bogota, and on my return to Paris I had the
honor, on the 30th o f October, o f a third audience with the Emperor,
who declared his decided conviction of the feasibility o f the canal, saying
that he could see no difficulty in it, and expressed his determination to
cut it. I hope that the expedition about to sail, the sending out o f
which may be considered as the first step towards the carrying out o f
His Majesty’s determination, may conduct its operations in a scientific
manner, and avoid the errors which proved fatal to the success o f the
expedition o f 1854.
RIGHT
OF
SEARCH.
Opinion o f Lord B r o u g h a m in 1807.— In the October number o f the
Edinburgh Review, for 1807, is an elaborate article, by Lord B r o u g h a m ,
on the rights of neutrals. The following passage taken from it shows
what was his opinion as to the right o f search at that period, and the
reason why such a right is a part o f the law o f nations:
“ It is evident that the right to search a foreign vessel for deserters is
o f the very same nature, and governed by the same rules, with the right
to search a neutral vessel for contraband goods. Y ou have a right to
search for those goods only because you are injured by their being on
board the vessel which trades with your enemy; you have a right to
search for your own runaway seamen who take shelter in the vessel, be
cause you are injured by their being enabled to escape from you. If a
neutral carries contraband goods, such as armed men, (which indeed
treaties frequently specify in the list,) to your enemy, he takes part
against y ou ; and your remedy— your means o f checking his underhand
hostility— is to stop his voyage, after ascertaining the unfair object o f it.
I f the same neutral gives shelter to your seamen, lie takes part with your
enem y; or, if you happen not to be at war, still he injures y o u ; and
your remedy, in either case, is to recover the property, after ascertaining
that he has it on board. In both instances the offence is the same—
the foreign vessel has on board what she ought not to have consistently
with your rights. You arc therefore entitled, say the jurists, to redress;
and a detection of the injury cannot be obtained without previous search.
PEORIA
AND
OQUAWKA
RAIL-ROAD
COMPANY.
W e have received from the President of the Peoria and Oquawka
Rail-Road Company a statement to the effect that the decision on rail
road mortgages reported in our December No., pp. 592, 593, is not cor
rect. W e will publish in our next No. a notice o f the case.
1862.]
17
Commercial Progress o f Four Centuries.
T H E C O M M E R C I A L P R O G R E S S OF F O U R C E N T U R I E S .
C H R O N O L O G IC A L
SK ET CH
OF
TH E
L E A D IN G
C O M M E R C IA L
EVEN TS OF
S IX T E E N T H , S E V E N T E E N T H , E IG H T E E N T H A N D N IN E T E E N T H
T
he
S
i x t e e n t h
C
e n t u r y
TH E
C E N T U R IE S.
.
T he sixteenth centmy was more distinguished than its predecessors for
the progress o f geographical knowledge, and for the extension o f com
mercial intercourse between Europe and foreign nations. Soon after the
discoveries of C olum bus were made known, at the close of the fifteenth
century, the Spaniards, the Portuguese, the English, the French and the
Dutch, severally fitted out expeditions for the purpose o f acquiring new
territory. The Portuguese opened a trade and extended their settle
ments beyond the Cape o f Good Hope. The English established colo
nies in Virginia and Carolina, and explored California on the Pacific.
The French planted the Cross in Canada. Spain acquired the Philip
pine Islands, and extended their dominion over Mexico, Peru and various
portions of South America. Strenuous exertions were made to extend
the commerce of each European nation. Voyages round the world were
for the first time projected and accomplished. Commercial companies
on a large scale, and with large capitals, were formed in England. The
whale-fishery was first commenced, and a general spirit o f commercial
enterprise encouraged. Slaves were first imported into the colonies.
Tea and tobacco first became known to the Europeans.
1503.— The Portuguese commander, A l b u q u e r q u e , on his way to
India, discovered Zanzibar. 1504. Death o f I s a b e l l a , Queen o f Spain,
and friend o f C olum bus , November 26, aged 53. C olumbus returned
from his fourth and last voyage. The Venetians, jealous o f the new
Indian trade of the Portuguese, incite the Mamelukes o f Egypt to com
mence hostilities against them. 1505. F r a n c e sc o de A l m e ir a , Portu
guese Viceroy, established factories along the coast of Malabar, and his
fleets interrupted the commerce o f Egyptians and Venetians. 1506. The
sugar-cane brought to Hispaniola from the Canaries. The G r e a t H a r r y ,
the first ship of the English navy, built. 1507. M a r g a r e t of Savoy,
Governess o f the Netherlands, concluded a commercial treaty with Eng
land. Portuguese settlements formed on Ormus by A l b u q u e r q u e , and
on Ceylon by A l m e id a . Madagascar visited by T r ist a n d ’ A c u n h a .
1509. The Venetians recover Padua, and rise again in power. D ie g o
C olum bus (son of C h r is t o p h e r ) Governor o f Spanish America.
1510— 1520.— The Portuguese established themselves (1511) at Ma
lacca, which becomes the centre o f their trade with the neighboring
islands and with China. 1513. V asco N unez de B a l b o a crosses the
Isthmus o f Darien, and reaches the Pacific. 1515. The Rio de la Plata
discovered by J u an D ia z de S otis . 1516. Death o f F e r d in a n d of
Spain, January 23, aged 64. 1517. The Portuguese trade with China
at Macao. Negro slaves brought to Hispaniola. The sweating sickness
(cold plague) raged in London. 1518. S il v e y r a opens the Portuguese
trade with Bengal. 1519. F e r n a n d o C ortez attacked Mexico. F e r vol
. x l v i .— n o . i .
2
18
Commercial Progress o f F ou r Centuries.
[January,
nando de M a g e l h a e n s sailed on his expedition to tlie Pacific, and having
passed through the straits now bearing his name, discovered the Ladrones
and Philippines, and was murdered by the natives. 1520. C o rtez took
the city of Mexico.
1521— 1530.— After the death of M a g e l h a e n s (1521) C an o con
ducted the squadron to the Moluccas, and (in 1522) returned to Seville,
via Cape of Good Hope, having concluded the first circumnavigation of
the globe, in 1,154 days. 1524. First discovery o f Peru b y P iza r r o
and A l m a g r o .
1531— 1540.— Porto Bello and Cartagena (Spanish Main) founded in
1532. Mines of Zacatecas discovered. 1533. C ortez conquered Cusco
and Quito, the capitals of Peru. 1534. The Sound opened to the Neth
erlands merchants. Canada discovered by C a r t ie r . 1535. The use
o f tobacco first known in Europe. 1536. Final subjugation of Peru.
Discovery of California by C o rt ez . 1537. Conquest of New-Granada.
1540. Cherry trees brought from Flanders and planted in Kent, England.
1541— 1550.— The Portuguese admitted (1542) to trade with Japan.
1543. Death o f C o p e r n ic u s ; he deferred until his last days the publica
tion of his great work, D e Orbium Ccelestium Revolutionibus. 1545. Dis
covery of the mines o f Potosi. 1546. Rate of interest in England fixed
at 10 per cent. (37, H e n r y V III.) 1548. Introduction of the orange
tree from China into Portugal.
1551— 1560.— The London Steelyard Company (the first commercial
company established in England, 1232) deprived (1551) o f their privi
leges. 1552. All loans at usury declared illegal, and subject to forfeiture
in England. The King of France ( H e n r y II.) prohibits the export of
money. 1558. The Salters’ Company, London, established. 1560. Or
dinary rate o f interest at Antwerp, 12 per cent., and fixed at the same
rate in Germany, Flanders and Spain by C h a r l e s V. Bourse established
at Antwerp.
1561— 1570.— Merchant Tailors’ School, London, (1561,) instituted.
1564. The Manillas, ceded by Portugal to Spain, received the name o f
the Philippines. 1567. The Royal Exchange, London, founded by Sir
T h o m as G r e sh am , September 7. Caraccas, in Venezuela, built by the
Spaniards. 1568. Some ships, conveying money from Spain to the Duke
o f Alva, are detained by Queen E l iz a be t h at Southampton and Plymouth.
1569. Luis d e A tald e revives the waning power of Portugal in India.
Drawing of the first English Lottery. 1570. The Royal Exchange, Lon
don, opened by Queen E l iz a b e t h .
1571— 1580.— Rate o f interest limited in England to 10 per cent.
1571. Large accumulations o f gold from America. Manilla built (1573.)
and made the seat o f a Spanish Viceroy. 1576. The plague devastated
Italy— 70,000 died at Venice. M a r t in F r o b is h e r sailed, June 11, to seek
a northwest passage; failed and returned. 1577. D r a k e commenced his
voyage round the world, November 15.
1578. The Norwegians at
tempted to interrupt the English commerce with Archangel. California
explored by D r a k e . First colony planted in Virginia by G il b e r t . Tulips
introduced into England. 1579. Queen E l iz a be t h entered into a treaty
of commerce with the Sultan, and established the Turkey Company.
1580. D r a k e returned from his voyage, November 3 ; the order o f knight
hood conferred upon him.
1581— 1590.— Correction o f the calendar by G r e g o r y III.; (1582;)
19
Seventeenth Centurv.
October 5Hi made the 15th. 1583. Queen E liza be t h claimed the sove
reignty of Newfoundland and fortified St. John’s. 1584. R a l e ig h con
ducted a second colony to Virginia. 1585. D r a k e and F r o b is h e r , with
a powerful fleet, attacked the Spanish settlements in the W est Indies.
D a v is explored the northeast coast of America. Coaches first used in
England. 1586. Success o f D r a k e in Hispaniola, San Domingo and
Florida. Potatoes and tobacco introduced into England. C a v e n d is h
sailed on his expedition. 1587. The Scottish Parliament (J a m es V I.)
adopted 10 per cent, as the maximum rate of interest. 1588. The Span
ish armada sailed from Lisbon May 29, entered the English Channel
July 19, and was defeated. Lord B u r l e ig h established the first newspa
per, The English Mercury. 1589. C a v e n d is h returned with great wealth,
taken from the Spanish settlements during his voyage round the world.
The stocking frame invented by Rev. W ill ia m L e e , o f Cambridge. 1590.
The first paper-mill in England, established by J ohn S p il l m a n , at Dartford in Kent.
1591— 1600.— English ships pursued the whale-fishery (1591) at Cape
Breton. Telescopes improved and brought into general notice by J a n s e n ,
of Middleburg. 1593. Whalebone first used in England. 1594. The
Falkland Islands discovered by H a w k in s . 1595. Oranges first known in
England. 1598. Whale-fishery commenced at Spitzbergen. 1600. The
English East India Company established.
T
he
S
e v e n t e e n t h
C
e n t u r y
.
The seventeenth century was distinguished for a still wider range of
geographical discovery. The English, under the auspices o f J am es I.,
C h a r l e s I. and C r o m w e l l , planted vigorously their colonies in New-England, Maryland and on the southern portions o f the North American
coast— established their factories beyond the Cape o f Good Hope. The
East India Company obtained its charter, and thus opened English trade
and government over an area of 750,000 miles, and a population of
104,000,000. The commercial prosperity o f the Dutch excited the jeal
ousy of C r o m w e l l , by whom most vigorous efforts were made to sub
due their naval power. Under Louis X IV . and the auspices o f the illus
trious legislator, C o l bert , the Ordinances de la Marine et de la Commerce
were constructed in 1681— the first systematic and complete body of
laws relating to commerce by sea and land published in Europe; a sys
tem which became immediately the basis o f the maritime legislation of
Europe. The revocation o f the edict of Nantes by Louis X IV ., October
24, 1685, was a severe blow to the prosperity o f France. This unjust
policy lost to France 800,000 Protestants, and gave to England (part o f these)
50,000 artisans. Many o f these were silk weavers, who settled at Spitalfields, Soho, St. Giles, <fec. The Dutch actively planted their colonies
in Asia and America ; the foundation o f Now-York was laid. They dis
covered Van Diemen’s Land and New-IIolland, settled the Cape)jof Good
Hope and Guyana. The French, at the same time, were pushing their
settlements at Quebec and other portions o f Canada. Louisiana, and the
Mississippi and Illinois rivers, were explored by Father H e n n e p in . The
successes gained by Europeans in South America gave rise to the bucca
neers, who for many years infested the seas. The century is also re
markable for the establishment of the Bank of England; the commence
ment o f the British national d ebt; the more general diffusion of geo-
20
Commercial Progress o f F ou r Centuries.
[January,
graphical knowledge and of science throughout Europe, and for im
provements in shipping and the extension of commerce throughout the
world.
1 6 0 1 — 1 6 1 0. — Debate on monopolies (1 6 0 1 ) defended by F ra n c is
B a c o n — abolished by Queen E l iz a b e t h . The first English factories es
tablished on the Malabar coast. 1601. The rate of interest in France
( H e n r y IV. and S u l l y ) fixed at 6_[ per cent.
1602. Artichokes intro
duced into England from Holland; Asparagus from A sia; Cauliflower
from Cyprus. 1604. The plague raged violently in London. 1606.
English companies chartered for settlements in Virginia. The French es
tablished themselves in Canada. Ncw-Holland discovered by the Dutch.
1 6 0 8. H d u so n explores the bay now known as H udson ’ s Bay. Quebec
built. 1609. Many Puritans left England for Virginia with Sir T h om as
■•Ga t e s and Sir G. S o m ers — the latter driven to the Bermudas (or S om ers ’
Island.) The Dutch, by levying heavy tolls at the mouth of the Scheldt,
transfer the commerce of Antwerp to Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Copper
coin first issued by the mint, London. Armistice o f twelve years conclu
ded between Spain and the United Provinces. 1610. Batavia settled by
the Dutch on the Island o f Java. The invention o f the thermometer
ascribed to F r a P a o l o , to S a n c t o r io and to D rebble o f Alkmaar.
1 6 1 1 — 162Q. — The United Provinces obtained (1 6 1 2 ) from the Turks
advantageous terms in their commerce in the Levant. 1613. English
factories established at Surat, in India, and at Gombroon, on the Persian
Gulf. The buccaneers noted on the coasts of America. 1614. Loga
rithms invented by Lord N a p ie r .
1615. Coffee in use at Venice.
1 6 1 6 . B a f f in explored the bay to which his name was given.
1618.
First voyage of the Danes to India; and settlement at Tranquebar. Pat
ent granted for a fire-engine for raising ballast and water, nearly on the
principle o f the steam-engine. 1 6 2 0 . Silk first manufactured in England.
Plymouth colony settled.
1 6 2 1 — 1 6 3 0 . — The conquests o f the Dutch commenced. First perma
nent settlement on Manhattan Island (1 6 2 1 ) by the Dutch. The colony
at Neva Scotia (1 6 5 2 ) settled by the Scotch. 1 6 2 4. The rate of interest
in England reduced to 8 per cent., (21 J am es I.,) .and in Scotland in 1632.
1625. The culture of silk commenced in Virginia.
1626. French settle
ments at Senegal and Guyana. 16 2 7. Success o f the Dutch Admiral,
H e in , in Brazil; Essequibo, in Guyana, founded by him.
1631— 1640.— C h a r l e s I. revived monopolies, sold patents and privi
leges to new companies, and imposed a stamp on cards. 1632. A colony
o f Catholics, under Lord B a l t im o r e , settled in Maryland. The Dutch
acquired the Island o f St. Eustatia. 1634. W rit for levying^ship-money
in England. The Dutch took Curacoa. 1635. Proclamation in England
against hackney coaches standing in the streets. Gaudaloupe and Mar
tinique appropriated by France. 1637. The levy of ship-money unpop
ular. 1640. Ship-money voted to be illegal.
1 641— 16 5 0. — T asman discovered Van Diemen’s Land, (1 6 4 2 ,) and
(named it in honor of the Dutch Governor o f Batavia. 1643. Cayenne
.colonized b y the French, V a n D ie m e n sent D e V rif .s and S c h a e p to
explore the ocean north of Japan. 1645. The greater part o f Candia
conquered b y the Turks. 1 6 4 7, H u y g e n s invented and applied the
pendulum to clocks. 1650. The Dutch took possession of the Cape of
G ood Hope.
21
Eiahteenth Century.
1651— 1060.-— Quarrel between the English and the Dutch (1651)
about the right of fishing; the massacre at Amboyna, and colonial en
croachments. Rate of interest reduced by the Rump Parliament to 6
per cent. 1660. Tea used in London.
1661— 1670.— Bombay and Tangier ceded to England, (1662,) and
free trade with Brazil.
1663. The profits of the English post-office
and wine licenses, granted to the Duke of York. The finances, manu
factures, commerce, marine and colonial systems o f France, improved
under C o l bert . 1665. London afflicted by the plague, April 28.
1666. Great fire in London, from September 2 till September 6 ; pro
perty destroyed valued at £8,000,000. 1667. A tax of twelve pence
levied on every ton of coal brought into London, January 18, to aid the
rebuilding of London. The first stone of the new Royal Exchange laid
(August 23) by C h a r l e s II.
1671— 1680.— The money in the Exchequer (12th January, 1672)
seized by C h a r l e s II. Great confusion and commercial distress followed.
1680. The publication o f newspapers and pamphlets without a license
declared (May 16) to be illegal in England.
1681— 1690.— A penny-post first established in London, (1683,) by a
private individual named M u r r a y . 1685. The Pope of Rome, by com
pulsory process, reduced the rates of interest on the public debt from 4
to 3 per cent. 1688. The Venetians made further progress in Dalmatia.
1691— 1700.— Origin o f the Bank of England, (1694, 25th April,)
under W i l l i a m III. Stamp duties in England commenced, 28th June.
1695. Commissioners appointed for building Greenwich Hospital.
1697. Charter o f Bank o f England renewed till twelve months’ notice.
1698. Address of the English House o f Commons to W il l ia m III., for
the discouragement of the woollen manufacture and the promotion of
the linen, 10th June. 1699. Czar P e t e r introduced the computation o f
time in Russia by the Christian era, but adhered to the old style.
D a m p ie r explored the northwest coast o f New-Holland.
T
he
E
i g h t e e n t h
C
e n t u r y
.
The progress of geographical knowledge rapidly increased throughout
Europe during this century; and important projects were entertained
with a view to settle remote colonies, and thus extend the commerce
with other nations. The Darien expedition, under W il l ia m P a t er s o n ,
had left Scotland in the year 1698. This gave rise to the South Sea
Company in 1710— 1712, and further gave rise to many of the monopo
lies granted early in the century. The Dutch, the Swedes and the Danes
all strove to extend their commerce in the East Indies ; and vigorous
efforts were made by the French and the English to attain the ascend
ancy in the W est Indies. A n son , V a n c o u v e r and C ook made their
noted voyages of discovery. The century was further distinguished for
the introduction of cotton from Jamaica and other W est India islands
into Europe, and its conversion into wearing apparel as a substitute for
the use of woollen and linen goods. Before the collision between Eng
land and her colonies, A r k w r ig h t had made known his important improve
ment in cotton-spinning ; and, soon after, the more important invention of
W h it n e y accomplished for the American planter the great labor-saving
machine known as the cotton gin.
The expensive wars between France, England, Spain, Holland, &c.,
22
Commercial Progress o f Four Centuries.
[January,
had drained England o f much o f her material wealth, forcing her to tax
her colonies for her own support. This apparent necessity led to the
stamp tax and tax on tea, jvhich, in turn, were the leading causes o f the
revolution against the mother country.
This century was likewise noted for the first experiments in the steamengine; ( W at t ’ s ;) the extensive operations o f the East India Company
as a commercial m onopoly; the rapid extension of commercial transac
tions between Western Europe and India, and North and South American
colonies. The first financial revulsion took place ; the stoppage o f the
Bank of England; riots among the working classes, produced by the
expensive wars from 1750— 1800.
1701.— A “ Council o f Trade” suggested b v W il l ia m P a t e r s o n .
1704. The Boston JVeivs Letter published— the first newspaper in the
American colonies. 1708. Bank of England charter renewed, and again
in 1713. 1709. Copyright act in England, 8 A n n e . 1710. The South
Sea Company originated, 6th May.
1711— 1720.— A capital o f £4,000,000 raised (1711) for the South
Sea Company. 1711. Rio Janeiro taken b y the French Admiral, D u g u a i
T e o u in . 1712. The first stamp duty on newspapers levied in England.
1713. The Clarendon Press established at Oxford, by the profits of the
History of the Rebellion. 1714. The rate o f interest in England re
duced from 6 to 5 per cent., and all contracts at a higher rate declared
void. 1716. J ohn L a w originated his banking and Mississippi schemes.
1717. First project o f a sinking fund for the liquidation o f the English
national debt. L a w obtained extended privileges for his bank. 1718.
L a w ’ s Company declared to be the Royal Bank. W ill ia m P a t e r s o n ,
projector of the Bank of England, died. 1720. The South Sea Company
Act, passed 7th April. South Sea stock rose to 890, June 2. Rage for
speculative schemes. Seventeen petitions for joint-stock patents refused.
South Sea bubble burst, 30th September.
1721— 1730.— The directors o f the South Sea Company (1721) taken
in to custody, 24th January. A isl a b ie and other members o f Parlia
ment implicated, expelled.' W a l p o l e , Lord Treasurer and Chancellor of
the Exchequer, 2d of April. The estates o f directors o f South Sea Com
pany, amounting to two millions sterling, forfeited. 1723. A ct passed
to prohibit English subscriptions to the Ostend Company. 1725. Tu
mults at Glasgow, 25th June, on account o f the malt tax. 1726. Cotton
a staple product o f Hispaniola. 1729. Fire at Constantinople; 12,000
houses and 7,000 people perished. J ohn L a w died at Venice, 21st
March, aged 58. 1730. Charter o f the East India Company renewed.
1731— 1740.— Culture of silk commenced (1732) in Georgia. Par
liamentary grant to Sir T h om as L amb (1732, April 3) for having intro
duced the silk engine. 1733. The English government refused to join
the Dutch in stopping the East India commerce of the Danes and
Swedes. 1733. The Excise law proposed in England, and abandoned by
W a l p o l e . 1734. English act passed against stock-jobbing. The new
Bank o f England building opened 5th June, in Threadneedle-street.
1736. High tide in the Thames. Westminster Hall flooded. Parlia
mentary debates published in the Gentleman's Magazine. 1740. The
first circulating library in London established at 132 Strand. Parliamen
tary debates prepared by Dr. J oh n son .
1741— 1750.— Charter of Bank o f England (1742) renewed. Lord
1862.]
Eighteenth Century.
23
A nson returned (1 7 4 4 ) from liis voyage round the world, with £ 1 ,2 5 0 ,0 0 0
in treasure. 1750. A riot at Tiverton, against the introduction of Irish
worsted yarns, 16tli January. Bounties granted, and a company formed
to encourage the British and white herring and cod fisheries.
1751— 1760.— An act o f Parliament (1751, 24 G e o rg e II.) orders the
Gregorian (or new) style to be used in Great Britain. 1753. Two thou
sand bales of cotton exported by Jamaica. 1754. Commencement of
war between England and France, and military operations under W a sh
in g t o n , in Virginia, &c.
1759. The Bank o f England issued £15 and
£10 notes, 31st March. 1760. Culture o f silk commenced in Connec
ticut.
1761'— 1770.— Opening o f the Duke o f B r id g e w a t e r ’ s Canal (1761)
between Manchester and Liverpool. 1762. The Island of Cuba surren
dered to Lord A l b em a r l e and Admiral P o c o c k e .
Martinique, St.
Lucia, St. Vincent and other islands taken from the French. 1764. First
improvement of steam-engine, by W a t t . Bank o f England charter re
newed. 1765. Stamp A ct for America passed by the British Parlia
ment, March. 1767. The House o f Commons resolved to impose duties
on various articles imported into America.
1771— 1780.— A r k w r ig h t ’ s second patent (1771) for his improvement
in cotton-spinning. Culture of silk commenced in Pennsylvania. 1772.
Commercial panic in London, caused by the failure of N e a l e , F o r d t c e
& Co., bankers. 1773. Tea destroyed in Boston harbor, 16th Novem
ber. The Governor of Bengal made governor of all the British settle
ments in India. 1774. The petition of the Massachusetts Assembly to
Parliament, presented (January) by Dr. F r a n k l in , who was then removed
from the office of deputy postmaster-general for the colonies. B o r k e ’ s
celebrated speech on the tea tax, April 19. 1774. W att , in partnership
with B oulton , founds his steam-engine establishment at Soho. 1776.
Captain C o o k sailed on his third voyage. 1780. Charter o f the first
Bank of North America, approved by Congress 26th May.
1781— 1790.— Bank o f England charter renewed, on making further
advances to government of £3,000,000. N e c k e r published his financial
statement for France, 1781, and retired from office. 1782. National
Bank of Ireland established. 1783. Charter granted to the Bank of Ireland.
1784. The Bank of New-York chartered, 9th June. 1786. British treaty
of commerce with France. 1787. “ Pennsylvania Society for the en
couragement of Manufactures and the Useful Arts,” formed. Cotton ex
ported by West India Islands. 1789. Issue o f assignats in France, 17th
December.
1791-—-1800.— V a n c o u v e r ’ s voyage o f discovery (1791.) The bucklemakers o f Birmingham petitioned Parliament against the use o f shoe
strings. Numerous riots at Birmingham. 1793. The first ambassador
from Turkey arrived in London, December 20. W h it n e y ’ s cotton-gin
invented and first used. 1795. Embargo on all Dutch ships in English
ports, 26th January. W a r r e n H astin g s acquitted, 23d April. 1797.
Suspension of the Bank of England, 26th February. Notes o f £1 and
£2 first issued, March 11. 1798. Silver tokens issued by the Bank of
England, 1st January. 1799. Sugar first extracted from beet-root, by
the Prussian chemist, A c iia r d . 1800. General distress and riots in Eng
land, caused by the high price of bread, January. Dispute respecting
the close of the century. L a l a n d e decided that 31st December, 1800,
24
Commercial Progress o f F ou r Centuries.
[January,
is the last day o f the eighteenth century. Union of Great Britain and
Ireland, 2d July. Bank o f England charter renewed until 1833.
T he
N
in e te e n th
C
e n t u r y
.
The discoveries, inventions and progress noted in three centuries,
ending with the year 1800, have all been eclipsed by the astonishing
events of the present century. The application of steam as a propelling
power may be considered as the most important o f these changes. The
next of importance to the world may be said to be the rail-road— not
only in developing production, but as a means of civilization and in
bringing together remote interests. The vast commercial interests of
the world have been more fully promoted by the invention and use of
the magnetic telegraph— an invention for which the civilized world is
largely indebted to the genius o f Professor M o rse . W hile the progress
and changes in the physical world have been greater than at former
periods, the reform and changes in the science o f law and government, and
in the social condition o f men, have been still greater. Among these
revolutions we may name— first, the modification o f the Corn Laws of
England, after centuries o f obstinate legislation; second, the introduc
tion of cheap postage ; third, the adoption of general laws for corporations,
in lieu of special charters. Science has at the same time demonstrated the
importance of gutta percha to the world. Steamboats and steamships
have been introduced into the waters of all parts o f the world. Twentyfive thousand miles of rail-road now penetrate the remotest corners o f the
United States. The population of the United States has increased from
5,300,000 at the opening of the century, to about 30,000,000 in the year
1858. The number o f post-offices has increased in the same time from
903 to 27,000, and their revenue from $280,000 to $8,000,000. The
tonnage of the Union has increased from 1,000,000 tons to 5,000,000— the
foreign imports from $91,000,000 to $350,000,000, and the customs
revenue from $9,000,000 to $64,000,000. The discovery of gold in
California and in Australia has led to the further development o f com
merce, navigation, manufactures and trade; and the rapid changes still
going on would indicate that the next fifty years will be as prolific as the
last half century.
1801— 1810.— Embargo laid (January, 1801) on all Bussian, Danish
and Swedish vessels in English ports. 1802. Santee Canal, South Caro
lina, completed. 1803. Louisiana sold by France to the United States
for $15,000,000. The first printing-press in New South Wales established
at Sydney. Caledonian Canal opened for travel. Trial of steamboat on
the Seine, by B o bert F u lto n , 9th August. The first bank in Ohio
chartered. 1804. W il b e r f o r c e ’ s slave-trade bill rejected by the House
o f Lords. The Code N a p o l e o n adopted. Ice first exported from the
United States to the W est Indies. 1805. The Gregorian calendar again
adopted in France. 1806. The Cape o f Good Hope surrendered to the
English. Abolition of the slave-trade by English Parliament, 10th June.
The loom invented by J a c q u a r d , a mechanic of Lyons, purchased by the
French government for public use. East India docks opened at London,
4tli August. 1807. Milan decrees against English commerce, 11th No
vember. F ulton ’ s first voyage on the Hudson. The Bank of Kentucky
chartered. First manufactory o f woollen cloths in the United States,
established at Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Middlesex Canal, Massachusetts,
1862.]
Nineteenth Century.
26
completed. 1808. Manufacturing districts of Manchester, &c., petitioned
for peace. 1810. Deaths b y suicide, of A br a h a m G o ld sch m id t , F r a n
c is D a r in g and other English merchants.
1811— 1820.— English guineas publicly sold for a pound note and
seven shillings. 1811. Mr. H o r n e r ’ s proposition for resumption o f cash
payments in England rejected. First steamboat built at Pittsburgh.
1812. Serious riots in the manufacturing districts o f Lancashire and
Yorkshire. Declaration o f war by the United States against England,
18th June. 1814. London Times first printed by steam, 20th November.
1815. Veto of the United States Bank bill by President M a d iso n ; bank
re-chartered for 20 years. 1816. The new Russian tariff prohibited the
importation o f nearly all British goods. Bank o f England advanced
£3,000,000 further to government, making a total o f £14,000,000.
1817. Paris first lighted by gas. First steamboat from New-Orleans
to Louisville. 1818. First Polar expedition o f Captain J ohn F r a n k l in
left England. Steamboats built on Lake Erie. 1819. Emigration to
Cape of Good Hope encouraged by the British government. The steam
ship S a v a n n a h arrived at Liverpool from the United States, 15th July.
Commencement of the suspension bridge over the Menai by T e l f o r d .
The first bank in Illinois chartered. 1820. Florida ceded to the United
States by Spain. Suspension bridge over the Tweed. First steamer
ascended the Arkansas River.
1821— 1830.— Captains P a r r y and L y o n ’ s expedition to the Arctic
Ocean left England 30th March, 1821. Bank o f England resumed specie
payments. 1822. Funeral o f C ou tts , the London banker, 4th March.
The first cotton mill in Lowell erected. 1823. Revival o f business in
the English factories. 1824. Advance in the prices of agricultural pro
duce in England. A ct passed for the Thames Tunnel, 24th June.
F a u n t l e r o y , banker, hung for forgery, 30th November. Champlain
Canal, New-York, completed.
1825. Panic in the English money
market, December. Failure o f numerous country banks. Erie Canal
completed. 1826. Mr. H u s k iss o n ’ s free trade policy advocated in the
House of Commons by vote o f 223 to 40. Coin in Bank of England
reduced to £2,460,000, 28th February. 1827. Commercial confidence
restored in England, and employment for the poor. “ Society for the
Diffusion of Useful Knowledge” established, at the instance of Lord
B r o u g h a m . Union Canal, Pennsylvania, completed. Quincy Rail-Road
completed. 1828. Delaware and Hudson Canal, Syracuse and Oswego
Canal, New-York, completed. India rubber goods manufactured in Con
necticut. 1829. Increase o f silk manufactures in England, and reduction
of duty on raw silk. Prize awarded to Mr. S t eph en so n for his loco
motive engine on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. Subscription
by Congress to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, May 3. Departure of
Captain Ross on his voyage o f discovery. Chesapeake and Delaware
Canal opened, 17th October. 1830. Opening o f the Liverpool and Man
chester Railway, 15th September. Free navigation o f the Black Sea
opened to the United States by treaty, 7th May. C h a r l e s X . fled from
Paris, 31st July. W est India trade with the United States opened to
British vessels. Independence of Belgium acknowledged. Pennsylvania
State Canal finished.
1831— 1840.— Parliamentary reform bill introduced in 1831 by Lord
J ohn R ussell ; rejected., by the House o f Lords, 8th October. Free
26
Commercial Progress o f F ou r Centuries.
[January,
trade convention at Philadelphia, October 1. S t e ph en G ir a r d died,
26th December, aged 84. Insurrection in Jamaica, 28th December.
1832. Veto o f United States Bank bill by President J a c k so n , 10th
July.
New tariff act passed by Congress, July.
Ohio State Canal
finished. Albany and Schenectady Rail-Road, Columbia Rail-Road,
Pennsylvania Rail-Road, Newcastle and Frenclitown Rail-Road, com
pleted. 1833. Ice first exported to the East Indies from the United
States, 18th May. Opening o f the China trade to. the English. East
India Company charter renewed; ceased to be a commercial body. Bank
o f England charter renewed. Usury restrictions removed in England
from all commercial paper having less than three months to mature.
Mr. C l a y ’ s tariff bill passed by Congress. Removal of the deposits
from the United States Bank, September. 1834. The Chinese suspend
intercourse with the English at Canton. The first bank in Indiana
chartered. London and Westminster Bank commenced business, 10th
March. Resolution o f the United States Senate condemning President
J a c k so n for removal o f deposits, March. Nomination of R o g e r B.
T a n e y as Secretery of the Treasury rejected by vote of 28 to 18.
Abolition of slavery in British W est Indies. Baltimore and Ohio RailRoad opened for travel to Harper’ s Ferry, 1st December. Bank of
Maryland failed, 24th March.
1835. French Indemnity bill passed,
18th April. Baltimore and Washington Rail-Road opened for travel,
23d August. Bank o f Maryland riots in Baltimore, 8th August. Loss
o f $20,000,000 by fire in New-York, 16th December. Boston and
Providence Rail-Road, Boston and Worcester Rail-Road, completed.
1836. Charter o f United States Bank expired, March 4, and succeeded
by Pennsylvania United States Bank. Reduction o f the newspaper
stamp duty in England, 15th September. Failure of the Commercial
and Agricultural Bank o f Ireland. Anthracite coal used for steamboats
on North River. Independence o f South American republics acknow
ledged by Spain, 4th December. 1837. Panic in the London market,
June. Failures o f American bankers in London. Further modifications
o f the usury laws o f England. Failure of banks in the city of New-York,
May 10. Grand Junction Railway, England, opened, 4th July. Revolt
in Canada. Mont de Piete, Limerick, established.
1838. Railway
opened from London to Southampton, 17th May. W reck o f the F or
f a r s h ir e ; heroism of G r a c e D a r l in g , 5th September.
Royal Ex
change, London, burned, 10th January. Resumption o f specie pay
ments in New-York, May. Sub-Treasury bill defeated in Congress,
June. United States Exploring Expedition, under Captain W il k e s , left
Hampton Roads, 19th August. Imprisonment for debt abolished in
England. 1839. British trade with China stopped, December. Second
suspension by the banks at Philadelphia, 9th September, followed by
bank failures in the South and West. Western Rail-Road, Worcester
to Springfield, opened, 1st October. Union Bank, London, commenced
business. 1840. Penny postage adopted in England. Antarctic conti
nent discovered by W il k e s , 19th January. First steam vessel at Boston
arrived from England, 3d June. First C un ard steamer (the B r it a n n ia )
arrived at Boston, 18th July; and the A c a d ia , 17th August. Fiscal
Bank bill vetoed by President T y l e r , 16th August. Bankrupt law
passed by Congress, 18th August. Bill for distribution o f public lands
passed by Congress, 23d August. Fiscal corporation bill vetoed by
1862.]
Nineteenth Century.
27
President T y l e r , 9th September. Loan of $ 1 2 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 authorized b y
Congress.
1841— 1850.— The island and harbor of Ilong Kong ceded (1841) by
the Chinese to England. Pennsylvania United States Bank failed third
time, 5th February, and made an assignment, 4th September. Union of
Upper and Lower Canada, 10th February. Foreign trade o f Canton
suspended, and hostilities with the English renewed, 21st May. Canton
taken, 27th. American clocks exported to England. 1842. Anti-corn
law movement in Parliament by Sir R. P e e l . Captain W il k e s re
turned from his exploring expedition, 11th June. A shburton treaty
ratified by the Senate, 20th August. British treaty with China, (29th
August,) by which it was agreed to open five free ports. 1843. Return
o f Captain Ross from the South Pole, 6th September. Treaty o f com
merce, by Sir H. P otting e r , with China. 1844. Treaty o f annexation
o f Texas to the United States rejected by the United States Senate, 8th
June. Anti-rent riots in New-York, August. Re-charter o f Bank o f
England.
Magnetic telegraph between Baltimore and Washington.
Cheap postage act of United States went into operation, July 1.
1845. Treaty between United States and China ratified by United States
Senate, 16th January.
Sir J ohn F r a n k l in left England, 25th May, on
his Arctic expedition. Anti-corn law league at Manchester. Steamship
G r e a t B r it a in arrived at New-York, 10th August. Treaty of annexa
tion o f Texas ratified by the United States Senate, 1st March. Loss o f
$6,000,000 by fire in New-York city, 19th July. P e e l ministry re
signed, 11th December. 1846. Oregon treaty between England and the
United States, signed in London, 17th July. Second failure o f the
potato crop in Ireland. Steamship G r e a t B r it a in stranded in Dundrum Bay, 22d October. Declaration o f war with Mexico by the United
States, 12th May. New tariff bill passed by Congress, 28th July. V eto
of French spoliation bill by President P o lk , 8th August. 1847. Gold
in California discovered. United States ship J a m es t o w n left Boston,
28th March, and frigate M a c e d o n ia n , 18th July, with provisions for the
relief of the Irish. Great commercial distress throughout Great Britain,
September to November. 1848. The State o f Maryland resumed pay
ment of interest, 1st January.
Treaty of peace between Mexico and
United States, signed 30th May. Suspension bridge at Niagara Falls
completed, 29th July. Edict to incorporate Bank o f France with nine
branches, 27th April.
India rubber life-preservers invented. 1849.
Penny postage adopted in Prussia. First experiment o f a submarine
telegraph at Folkstone. 1850. Invasion o f Cuba by L o p ez . £20,000
reward offered by Parliament for discovery o f Sir J ohn F r a n k l in , 8th
March. C o l l in s ’ line o f steamers to Liverpool commenced operations.
Steamer A t lan tic left New-York, 27th April. The celebrated Koh-inoor diamond, valued at $2,000,000, brought to England, July.
1851.
— The London exhibition opened, May 1. Contract of Pacha
of Egypt with Mr. S t e ph en so n for a rail-road from Alexandria to
Cairo. Railways completed between St. Petersburgh and Moscow, Dub
lin and Galway. C o llin s ’ steamer P a c if ic arrived in Liverpool, May.
Yacht A m e ric a won the race at Cowes, 22d August. Hudson River
Rail-Road opened to Albany, 8tli October. Dr. K a n e returned from the
G r in n e l l expedition, October.
1852. — Construction o f French Crystal Palace ordered, February.
28
Commercial Progress o f F ou r Centuries.
[January,
Expedition of United States naval forces to Japan, March. Dr. R ae re
turned from his search for Sir J ohn F r a n k l in , February. Ship P rin ce
A lbert returned from search for Sir J ohn F r a n k l in , 7th October.
1853.
— Trial trip of the caloric steamship E ricsso n from New-York
to the Potomac, 11th January. Second Arctic expedition left New-York,
31st May. American expedition arrived at Japan, 8th July. Loss of
the steamship H um boldt , 5th December.
1854.
— Combined fleets o f England and France entered the Black
Sea, 11th January. Loss o f the steamer S an F r a n c isc o , 5th January.
Steamer C it y of G l a s g o w lost, March. Declaration o f war by England
against Russia in behalf of Turkey, 28th March. Commercial treaty
between United States and Japan. French loan of 250,000,000 francs,
announced March 11, and Turkish loan of £2,727,400. London jointstock bankers admitted to the clearing-house, June 7. Crystal Palace at
Sydenham opened, 10th June. Bombardment of San Juan by ship
C y a n e , 13th July. Loss of steamer A r c t ic , 27th September. Captain
M c C lure returns from Arctic discovery, 28th September.
1855.
— Discovery of Captain F r a n k l in ’ s remains. £10,000 awarded
Captain M c C lure by Parliament. Paris exhibition opened 15tli May.
Submarine telegraph wire laid in Black Sea. Resistance by United
States to payment o f Sound Dues. First rail-road train crossed the
Suspension bridge at Niagara, L4tli March. French loan of 500,000,000
francs taken, 18th January. Suspension of P a g e , B acon & Co., A dam s
& Co., San Francisco, 22d February. English loan o f £16,000,000
taken by R oth sch ild s , 20th April. Ships A rctic and R e l e a s e , Capt.
I I a r ts t e in , left New-York for relief of Dr. K ane and party.
1856.
— The Arctic discovery-ship, R e so lu te , was delivered to the
British authorities at Portsmouth, 30th December.
1 8 5 7.
— Expulsion o f J am es S a d l e ir from the House of Commons,
for fraud, February 16. Trial trip of the United States frigate N i a g a r a ,
April 22.
Count D ’ A r g e n t , Governor o f the Bank o f France for
twenty-one years, resigned May. Suspension o f Ohio Life and Trust
Company, New-York, August 24. Suspension of the banks of Phila
delphia, Baltimore, &c., September 25. New-York banks suspended
October 14. Suspension of W il s o n , H allett & Co., Liverpool; H oge
& Co., Liverpool; J ohn M o n ro e & Co., bankers, Paris, and numerous
others, November. Suspension o f Bank of England charter, November
12. Severe storm on north coast of Scotland, November 23. Resump
tion of specie payments by New-York banks, December 14. Canton
bombarded by the English and French, December 28.
1858.
— Attempt to assassinate the Emperor N a p o l e o n , 14th January.
Loss of the “ A v a ,” mail steamer from Calcutta to Suez, 1st February.
The L ivin g s t o n exploring expedition sailed from Liverpool, 10th March.
Conference at Shanghai of the representatives of Great Britain, France,
Russia and the United States, 30th March. Great fire at Christiana,
Sweden, destroying three-quarters o f the city, 13th April. Forts at the
mouth of the Peilio, near Pekin, captured by the English and French
forces, 20th May. Treaty between Great Britain and China, signed at
Tietsin, 26th May. A new boundary treaty between Turkey and Persia,
signed at Constantinople, 29th May. Convention agreed to for the sus
pension of hostilities between the Turks and Montenegrins, 5th June.
Jeddah bombarded by the British ship C y c l o p s , 23d July, and again on
1862.]
Nineteenth Century.
29
5th August. Second treaty between United States and Japan signed, July
28. Lord E l g in landed and negotiated, at Jeddo, a treaty between Great
Britain and Japan, 12th August. Important financial reforms adopted
by the Sultan of Turkey, 18th August, Message by Atlantic Telegraph,
from Queen V ic t o r ia to President B u c h a n a n , 22d August. The Ham
burg screw-steamer “ A u s t r ia ” burned at sea; upwards o f 400 o f the
passengers and crew were lost, 13th September. Crystal Palace at NewYork destroyed by fire, 5th October. Royal proclamation issued through
out India, announcing transference of authority o f the East India
Company to the home government, 1st November.
1859.
— Death of Baron H um boldt , aged 92 years, May 6. English
and French forces accompany the English and French ambassadors to
the Emperor o f China ; repulsed on attempting the passage up the Pciho
River, with a loss o f about 450 men, 25th June. The Island of San Juan,
Oregon, taken possession o f by Gen. H a r n e y in the name o f the United
States government, 1st July. Terrific gale, causing extensive loss o f life
and property, over England and on the coasts, 26th October. Severe gale
through the southern districts o f England, 1st November. The steamship
I n d ia n , from Liverpool, wrecked upon Seal Ledge, 65 miles east o f Hali
fax ; 24 of the passengers and crew lost, 21st November. First train passes
over Victoria Bridge in Canada, 24th November.
1860.
— Peace is concluded between Buenos Ayres and the Argentine
Confederation, 5th January. Falling o f the Pemberton Mills at Lawrence,
Mass., 10th January. United States five per cent, loan, $1,100,000, ne
gotiated, January 31. First silver bullion received from the Washoe
silver mines. A treaty signed between France and Sardinia for the
annexation of Savoy and Nice to France, 24th March. The Japanese
Embassy arrives at San Francisco, 29th March. First pony express
reaches Carson Valley in 8.V days from Missouri, 12th April. Attack
on the Bank of England by Messrs. O v e r e n d , G u r n e y & Co., bankers,
defeated, April. Fraud in Union Bank of London discovered, April 23 ;
loss £263,000. Fraud in Pacific Mail Steamship Company stock dis
covered at New-York, May 18. News received in London o f the failure
o f the Red Sea telegraph, May. President B u c h a n an vetoes Homestead
Bill, and it is lost, 23d June. Failure of S t r e a t h f ie l d , L a u r e n c e & Co.,
and other houses in the leather trade, London, July. The Taku forts at
the mouth of the Pciho are taken by the Allies, after a strong resistance
by the Chinese, 21st August. United States ten million five per cent,
loan taken, October 22.
Great panic in New-York stock market,
November 12.
Georgia banks suspended payment, November 30.
Steamer P e r s ia arrived at New-York from Liverpool with $3,000,000
in gold. South Carolina secedes from the Union, 20th December.
Fort Moultrie evacuated by Major A n d erso n , 26th December. Castle
Pinckney and Fort Moultrie seized by State authorities, 28th December.
J ohn B. F l o y d resigns as Secretary o f War, 29th December. Bank of
England raised rate of discount from five to six per cent., 31st December.
Robbery o f $173,000 belonging to English bondholders by the Mexican
government, December. Prospectus of Turkish six per cent, loan issued
by M. M ir e s , Paris.
[ The preceding sketch is mainly from “ The Cyclopaedia o f Commerce
and. Commercial Navigation,” published by Messrs. H a r p e r & B r o t h e r s ,
N . Y ., 1859.]
30
Chambers o f Commerce and Boards o f Trade.
[January,
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND BOARDS OF TRADE.
Monthly Meeting o f the New -York Chamber o f Commerce, November Ith.
T he regular montlily meeting o f the Chamber of Commerce took place
Thursday, November 7th, Mr. P e l a t ia h P e r u in the chair. It being
understood that the Rev. Messrs. C o n w a y and T a y l o r , and Mr. F o ste r ,
from North Carolina, would be present and explain the destitute condi
tion of the loyal citizens o f North Carolina, a large attendance was
present.
After the reading o f the minutes of the October meeting, Mr. G. W .
B lunt moved that I s aa c Y. F o w l e r , ex-postmaster and a defaulter, b e
expelled from the Board, which was unanimously agreed to.
Mr. R o y a l P h el p s called the attention o f the Chamber to the present
bankrupt law. He said that it was the desire o f merchants generally
that the law should be so arranged as to afford equal protection to the
debtor and creditor ; that the city o f New-York suffered greatly from it,
and it was full time for it to be equitably arranged. He notified the
Board that a meeting o f the merchants for that purpose would take place
on Monday evening, November 11th, at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, to which
the members o f the Chamber who took an interest in the subject were
invited.
Messrs. E l lw o o d W a l t e r , President o f the Mercantile Marine In
surance Company and Secretary of the Board o f Underwriters, E zr a
N y e , formerly o f the C o llins line o f steamships, and G e o . D. M o r g a n ,
special agent of the Navy Department at this port, were appointed trustees
of the Nautical School in New-York harbor, for the purpose of educating
boys in seamanship and navigation.
Mr. D en n in g D u e r , after making some complimentary remarks upon
the career and retirement of Gen. S cott , offered the following resolutions,
which wTere unanimously adopted :
Resolved, That the Chamber of Commerce at this, its first meeting after
the retirement o f Lieutenant-General W in f ie l d S cott from the command
o f the army o f the United States, desires to join its voice to that o f the
constituted authorities o f the nation and o f the people at large, in bearing
testimony to the signal services of Lieutenant-General W in f ie l d S cott ,
and to his illustrious example as a man, a soldier and a citizen, through a
period o f more than half a century. In war, always successful; in ad
verse circumstances, never discouraged; in the moment o f victory, never
unduly elated; provident o f the blood of the soldiers, and steadily set
against any self-aggrandizement at the cost o f a single life unnecessarily
hazarded; alike in peace and in war respecting the sanctity of the law
and subordinating arms to the civil authority. He passed through his
long career without a stain upon his name, or a departure from the cha
racter of an able, upright Christian, soldier and gentleman.
Once and again, when foreign war seemed to threaten our country, we
have turned instinctively to the great soldier as our mediator for peace,
1862.]
Chambers o f Commerce and Boards o f Trade.
31
and never in vain ; and now, when the crime o f the age— the rebellion of
the Southern States— broke out, he, whose warning voice in advance was
fatally unheeded, stood forth faithful among the faithless, and, with his
great name and strong arm, bearing aloft the flag of our Union, sprinkled
in times past with his blood, and blazing all over with his exploits, he
planted it on the dome of the Capitol, and, inaugurating the new Presi
dent beneath its folds, rescued the nation from anarchy.
Later still, when baffled traitors, rushing to arms, beleaguered the capi
tal with overwhelming forces, and the head o f the nation called all loyal
men to the rescue, W in f ie l d S cott , at Washington, was our sword and
buckler, and to him flocked instantly thousands and tens of thousands of
our countrymen.
And now, when the sublime uprising o f the people has arrested the
danger, the glorious veteran, broken with the trials o f war, asks permis
sion to remit to young and able hands the chief command, and gracefully
retires, crowned with every honor that a grateful country can bestow—
faithful in all the past to one flag, one constitution, one country and one
great name of America.
The Chamber of Commerce deems it a privilege to express its sense of
such eminent services, and to place upon its records the memorial of
grateful appreciation.
Resolved, 'Jlhat a copy of these resolutions, duly authenticated, bo presentedio-General S cott .
Mr. B lunt said that the proper way to present these resolutions to
General S cott would b e the appointment o f a committee to present them
personally. He was confident the General would appreciate that course.
Mr. P h el p s thought that the better way to present them would be b y
letter, as the General was completely run down with visitors, and was too
fatigued.
Mr. B lunt knew that General S cott would make it convenient to re
ceive the committee. The great cause of trouble with the General wds,
that the greater number o f those who call upon him do so for the pur
pose of obtaining his autograph, or on business connected with the gov
ernment. It was finally resolved to appoint a committee to wait upon the
General at the Brevoort House, at nine o’ clock the next morning, to pre
sent him with the resolutions. Messrs. D e n n in g D u e r , T h om as S u f f e rn ,
G e o r g e W . B lu n t , C. II. M a r s h a l l , A. A . Low, and the President, Mr.
P e l a t ia h P e r it , were appointed said committee.
Mr. A. A. Low spoke o f the necessity of having a line o f steamships,
properly armed, established between San Francisco and New-Orleans, for
the protection o f American commerce, as also to obviate the delays and
necessity of having to communicate with China through England. Mr.
Low took this occasion to state that he had received advices direct from
China in thirty-five days, which took seventy-five to come by Europe,
n e then offered the following resolution, which was adopted:
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare a memorial to
Congress, asking for the establishment o f a line o f steamers from San
Francisco to Japan and China, to bo suitably armed for the protection of
American commerce on the Pacific, and o f sufficient speed to insure a
rapid transmission of the mails.
Messrs. Low, N y e and W . T. C o lem an were appointed as such com
mittee.
32
Chambers o f Commerce and Boards o f Trade.
[January,
Mr. D a v id O g d en , after speaking of the necessity o f keeping open the
canals, offered the following resolution, which was adopted:
Resolved, That a memorial from this Chamber, signed by the President
and Secretary, be sent to the Canal Commissioners, asking them to keep
open, until the last possible moment, the canals of this State; and also
asking them to give early notice of the same; and also that the commit
tee be requested to use every exertion to open the canals at the earliest
possible moment in the spring.
Messrs. D a v id O g d en , C. II. M a r sh a l l and W . E. D odge were ap
pointed a committee for that purpose.
During the meeting, as the Rev. Messrs. C o n w a y and T a y l o r and Mr.
F oster were present, Mr. W . E. D odge took occasion to allude to the des
titute condition of the loyal Union citizens o f North Carolina, saying that
as these gentlemen from North Carolina were in attendance, a full and
accurate account could be had. The President informed the gentlemen
that a meeting was to be held at Cooper Institute for that purpose, when
the reverend gentlemen would have every opportunity of making a full
statement on the subject referred to.
The following gentlemen were nominated for membership :
Nominated by
64 Beaver-street,
2 Hanover Square,
54 Wall-street,
283 Fifth Avenue,
The Chamber then adjourned.
W ill ia m L id d e r d a l e ,
C h a r l e s F. L o o s e y ,
H e n r y W eston ,
J oel W o l f e ,
P e l a t ia h P e r it .
A rt h u r L e a r y .
C aleb B arsto w .
C a l e b F. L in d s l e y .
Special Meeting o f the N ew -York Chamber o f Commerce, November
13 th, 1861.
A special meeting of the New-York Chamber of Commerce was held
on Wednesday, November 13th, upon the application o f Messrs. O p d y k e ,
H. A. S m y t iie , A. C. R ic h a r d s , S. B . C r it t e n d e n and S. D e W itt
B l o o d g o o d , to consider a memorial to the President o f the United
States, requesting that power be conferred upon provost judges to take
cognizance of civil actions at law in the rebellious States. Mr. P. P e r it ,
President of the Chamber, presided. Mr. O p d y k e submitted and read
the following memorial;
C ham ber
of
C o m m er c e , New-York, November 13, 1861.
To the Hon. A br a h a m L in c o l n , President o f the United States :
The memorial of the Chamber o f Commerce of the State o f New-York
respectfully represents, that the subject now held under the consideration
o f your excellency, touching the power and jurisdiction o f the provost
judge at Alexandria, in certain actions of debt brought before him, in
volves questions of the deepest import to the mercantile interests o f this
country. Citizens of States, now in rebellion, owe to citizens of loyal
States a commercial debt estimated at little less than $200,000,000. At
present there are no means o f collecting any portion o f these debts, nor
can there be, until the authority o f the United States government is re
established in the rebellious States. In fact, these States have made the
1862.]
Chambers o f Commerce and Boards o f Trade.
33
payment o f any such debt a criminal offence o f the highest grade, and
they have also provided by law for their confiscation and appropriation
to the uses of the rebel government.
Under these circumstances, the unfortunate creditors are constrained
to look to their government for relief. They are aware that government
can grant this relief only in the degree in which its authority is re
established, but to that extent they feel that they have a right to claim,
on grounds of justice and sound policy, its friendly and earnest inter
position. The restoration of the United States authority will follow the
march of the federal army, and must thus be accomplished by degrees.
It has already commenced. The district o f Alexandria, in the State o f
Virginia, is now within the lines of the federal army. No civil authority
exists there, but a military governor has been appointed and a provost
court established. Your memorialists respectfully submit, that under
such circumstances it is an imperative necessity that these military au
thorities should exercise all the functions o f local government. A state
o f war does not destroy the social relations o f man, and unless there exists,
in its immediate presence, some kind o f authority to protect the rights
of persons and property, and to enforce the obligations o f contracts, it
would leave no traces o f property behind it to satisfy the claims o f credi
tors and others.
It is, therefore, of the highest importance, that loyal citizens should
have means of enforcing their claims against debtors in reconquered dis
tricts, during the transition state, when the military is the only existing
power. I f their legal rights be postponed until the re-establishment o f
civil tribunals, it is not likely that any property will be found to satisfy
their claims. The chances are, that most of it will have been appropri
ated to disloyal purposes.
Again, the honest and loyal debtor in the reconquered district, who
should desire to prosecute his business and pay his debts, would find
himself greatly embarrassed by crushing competition o f disloyalists and
others intending to put their creditors at defiance. This very difficulty,
it is said, has been already felt at Alexandria.
The political effect o f this temporary immunity, if it were granted to rebel
debtors, could not fail to prove most injurious to the federal cause; for it
could scarcely be expected that rebels would become loyal, when loyalty
would deprive them of a plausible ground for refusing to satisfy the just
demands o f their creditors. The immunity, in short, would be equiva
lent to paying a premium for treason.
For the reasons stated, your committee deem it essential to justice
and the early suppression o f this wicked rebellion, as well as due to the
mercantile interests of the country, which has sustained the government
with such patriotic zeal and liberality, that the action o f the provost
court at Alexandria should be sustained by the administration, and that
it should also be the invariable practice to establish such courts, with
plenary power in civil causes, in every district that falls into the military
possession o f the United States government. It is said that the practice
o f this government in California, for some ten years after that territory
came into its possession, affords a precedent for the adoption of this
policy. But whether this be so or not, there can be no doubt but justice
and expediency alike demand its adoption in the present exigency.
The rules and usages o f war are governed by the necessities that arise in
von.
x l v i .— no .
i.
3
34
[January,
Chambers of Commerce and Boards o f Trade.
its actual presence, subject only to such, restraints as justice, mercy and
other principles of ‘Christianity impose. It will infringe none of those
to compel the disloyal debtor to appropriate the property to the payment
o f debts justly due to loyal creditors.
Your memorialists therefore respectfully urge your excellency to sanc
tion the action of the Alexandria court, and to establish similar tribunals
wherever the federal army establishes its authority in a rebellious State
or district.
After debate b y Messrs. O p d y k e , C h a r l e s G ould , C o n k l in g , H o t a l in g and others, the memorial was adopted, with only one dissenting
voice, and ordered to be engrossed and forwarded, duly authenticated b y
the officers o f the Chamber. A nd the meeting adjourned.
Monthly Meeting o f the N ew -York Chamber o f Commerce, December 5th.
The regular monthly meeting o f the Chamber o f Commerce was held
at 1 o’clock, Thursday, December 5th, the President, P e l a t ia h P e r it , in
the chair, and an unusually large attendance of members.
The fo llo w in g gen tlem en w ere elected m e m b e r s : W il l ia m L id d e r dale,
C h a r l e s F. L o o s e t , I I e n r y W
est o n
and J oel W
olfe.
Mr. S am u el D. B a b c o c k was unanimously re-elected a member of the
Arbitration Committee, to serve for twelve months from this time.
Mr. C h a r l e s H . M a r s h a l l , in behalf o f a Special Committee, pre
sented the following memorial:
To the Honorable the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the United
States o f America, in Congress assembled:
The Chamber of Commerce o f the State of New-York respectfully
represents, that it is important to the commercial and financial interests
o f this State, that the United States Assay Office at this city, shall have
conferred upon it the privilege o f coining into the national currency such
portion of gold and silver bullion as may be deposited with the treasurer
at New-York for that purpose.
That the expense, risk and loss o f time hitherto and at present incurred,
in sending bullion from this city to the mint for coinage, might be avoided
if this power were granted to the Assay Office.
In support of these views, the Chamber deems it proper to state the
following facts:
The bullion deposits at the New-York Assay Office by individuals for
coinage, or for conversion into fine bars, since October, 1854, (when the
Assay Office commenced business,) to the 1st October, 1861, has ex
ceeded one hundred and eighty millions o f dollars, o f which was in gold,
about 95.70 per cent., in silver, 4.30 per cent. O f this large sum nearly
thirty per cent, was deposited in the last year, (October 1st, 1860, to Oc
tober 1st, 1861,) viz.:
B U L L IO N d e p o s i t s
at
the
Gold.
n ew
-y o r k
a ssa y
S ilv er:
o f f ic e
.
Total.
Five years, to Oct. 1st, 1859, $99,256,633 . . $5,046,601 . .$104,303,234
One year, to Oct. 1st, 1860, 17,882,426 . .
452,118 . .
18,334,544
One year, to Oct. 1st, 1861, 55,969,553 . . 2,263,765 . .
58,233,818
Annual average,,
$ 173,108,612 ..$7,762,484 ..$180,871,096
. 27,586,944 . . 1,108,926 . .
28,695,870
18 62 .]
35
Chambers o f Commerce and Boards o f Trade.
Thus, in the past year the deposits have increased from a previous an
nual average o f less than twenty-one millions, (1854— 1860,) to the sum
of fifty-eight millions of dollars.
In order to show the usefulness o f the Assay Office, even with the re
stricted powers thus far granted to it, it has furnished in the same period
of seven years fine bars to the value o f one hundred and twenty-one mil
lions o f dollars, v iz.:
G old,........................................................................
Silver,......................................................................
$ 119,656,621
1,725,220
Total, seven years,...................................
$ 121,381,841
An annual average exceeding seventeen millions of dollars.
And during the same period of seven years, the Assay Office has for
warded to the mint, at Philadelphia, for coinage, a sum o f over one hun
dred and seven millions o f dollars, v iz .:
B U L L IO N
SE N T TO TH E M IN T , A T
P H IL A D E L P H IA , P R O M
TH E
U N ITE D
STATE S
A S S A Y O F F IC E , N E W -Y O R K , F O R C O IN A G E .
Gold.
First five years,. . .
Sixth y e a r ,...........
Seventh year, . . . .
Annual average,
S ilver.
Total.
$ 31,070,049
11,854,834
56,082 721
$ 5,025,483
278,196
2,198,139
$ 36,695,532
12,133,030
58,280,860
$ 99,607,604
14,229,658
$7,501,818
1,071,688
$ 107,109,422
15,301,346
Thus, the amount o f gold and silver forwarded to Philadelphia for
coinage has increased from a previous annual average o f eight millions
for the first six years, (1854— 1860,) to more than fifty-eight millions
in the past year. The estimated expenses for mere transportation o f this
large sum for the year past (October, 1860, to October, 1861) was
$71,755, viz.:
For gold, one dollar per thousand,...............................
For silver, three dollars per thousand,.........................
$ 64,855
6,900
$ 71,755
When, to the consideration o f this unavoidable expense, under the
present law, is added the loss o f time to the depositor, t h e a n n u a l l o s s
may be estimated at about one hundred thousand dollars ; a sum which
it is now thought will be sufficient to put the present Assay Office in
complete order for coining all the gold and silver that may be required
by the owners or depositors at New-York.
In order to show what an important part the port o f New-York plays
in the great bullion movement o f the country, the Chamber of Commerce
presents the following summary o f receipts at New-York for the seven
years since the Assay Office was established :
36
[January,
Chambers o f Commerce and Boards o f Trade.
C aliforn ia S hipm ents to N evyY ork.
Year.
1854.......................
1855,......................
1856........................
1857, ...................
1858, ...................
1859, ...................
1860, ...................
E stim ated yield
o f C alifornia.
Total Shipm ents.
$46,289,000
38,730,000
39,765,000
35,287,000
35,578,000
39,831,000
35,661,000
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
$ 51,328,000
43,080,000
48,887,000
48,592,000
47,548,000
47,640,000
42,325,000
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
$ 64,000,000
65,000,000
70,000,000
70,000,000
70,000,000
70,000,000
70,000,000
Now that the port of Nevv-Orleans is closed against the receipts of
gold at that port from California, (heretofore from two to three millions
annually,) and the branch mint at that city closed, it may be reasonably
expected that, for some time at least, the whole exports of California gold
to the Atlantic ports will hereafter arrive at New-York.
To the considerations before mentioned may be added the fact, that
the foreign commerce of the State of New-York has increased, since the
first export of California gold at this port, about two hundred per cen t.:
Im ports.
18 4 9 ,......................
18 6 0 ,......................
E xports.
$92,567,369
248,489,877
..
..
$ 45,963,100
145,555,449
Total.
. . $ 138,530,469
..
894,045,326
Increase,........ $ 155,922,508
. . $ 99,592,349 . . $ 255,514,857
To show the relative importance o f New-York City to the whole
country, in its foreign trade, the following results are shown for the year
ending 30th June, 1860 :
N ew -Y ork C ity.
A ll Others.
Total.
Exports,...............
Im p orts,.............
$ 120,630,955
233,692,941
. . $ 252,558,319
..
128,473,313
. . $ 373,189,274
..
362,166,254
Total,...........
$354,323,896
. . $ 381,031,632
. . $ 735,355,528
Thus, the proportion of the foreign trade o f New-York City to that o f
the whole country, in its exports, for the fiscal years 1 8 5 9 -6 0 , (the last
officially before us,) was over thirty-two per cent., and the imports for the
same period over sixty-four per cent.; and the total foreign trade of the
first, compared with the whole United States, was over forty-eight per
cent., while that o f the State of New-York was about fifty-four per cent,
o f the whole foreign trade of the country, or considerably beyond oneh a lf .
This increase is fully illustrated by a comparison of the past decade,
(1850— 1860,) with the three previous periods, 1821— 1850, v iz.:
IM P O R T S A N D
EXPORTS
OF TH E
Im ports.
1821— 1830, . . . $ 363,379,563
1831— 1840, . . .
753,921,699
1841— 1850,. . .
757,571,840
1851— 1860,. .. 1,915,154,188
STATE
OF N E W -Y O R K .
E xports.
..
..
..
..
$ 215,833,356
279,588,191
385,322,935
1,113,314,645
Total.
..
$579,212,919
1,033,509,890
. . 1,142,894,775
. . 3,028,468,833
"We see no grounds to doubt that the increase o f the foreign trade of
the port and of the State of New-York, for the next ten or twenty years,
will be fully commensurate with that o f the past forty years.
1862.]
Chambers o f Commerce and Boards o f Trade.
37
The memorial was unanimously adopted, and ordered to be engrossed
and forwarded to the Senate and to the House of Representatives o f the
United States. It was further
Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to print the memorial o f
the Chamber in reference to coining powers to the United States Assay
Office at New-York, and transmit a copy to every member o f the Senate
and House o f Representatives at Washington.
Mr. A. A. Low, chairman o f the Special Committee appointed on the
7th inst. to prepare an appeal to Congress in behalf of the establishment
o f mail facilities, by steamers, between San Francisco and China, reported
that the committee had agreed upon the following memorial on this
subject:
To the Honorable the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the United
States o f America, in Congress assembled:
The Chamber o f Commerce o f the State of New-York respectfully
represents, that, in a memorial adopted on the 4th day of October, 1860,
and presented at the following session of Congress, it was attempted to
be shown that an extension of the postal facilities of the United States
was necessary alike for the development o f the commerce of the country,
and for the maintenance o f the country’ s high position among the mari
time nations of the world.
The following facts were stated in proof o f this position :
1. That, through subsidies granted by the British government, a line of
mail steamers had been established between England and the United
States in the year 1840, and, through the same means, had been continued
to this day.
2. That this line of steamers had succeeded in wresting from our packet
ships the most valuable portion of the carrying trade across the Atlantic,
o f which, before, they had entire control.
3. That similar results had been obtained, to the great benefit o f British
commerce, through the extension o f lines o f mail steamers to Brazil and
other countries.
4. That the British mail steamer secures, on every route it traverses,
in addition to the most valuable freight, most o f the passenger traffic—
carrying to England, or via England, the men o f wealth, the merchant
and the traveller, as well as the “ swift orders” for merchandise.
5. That the United States, at the present day, are mainly dependent
upon British steamers for the transmission of letters to Brazil, the south
ern coast of South America, the Mediterranean Sea, the east and west
coasts o f Africa, the ports of India, the Mauritius, Singapore, Java, Siam,
the Philippine Islands, Australia, New-Zealand, and all the ports o f China
and Japan.
6. That in its various lines o f mail steamers, the British government
has a ready resource for transports in case of sudden war; and, at the
same time, has at its command effective vessels, easily armed for purposes
o f attack and defence.
That all the advantages possessed by Great Britain, to the ready ac
cess afforded by her naval packets to the ports of China and Japan— to
that vast field of commerce o f which it is customary to speak as being
east of the Cape of Good Hope— might be secured to our own country
by the establishment of a line o f mail steamers from San Francisco to
38
Chambers o f Commerce and Boards o f Trade.
[January,
China and Japan ; and that such a line, by facilitating intercourse with
those extensive empires and other less populous regions referred to, would
enable the American merchants to compete, on equal terms, with his com
mercial rivals in England and on the Continent.
In view o f the foregoing facts, the Chamber o f Commerce solicited
of Congress a general extension o f the American ocean mail service, but
more especially such encouragement by subsidy, or otherwise, as may be
necessary for the establishment on the Pacific of the line of steamers above
referred to.
The completion of the line o f telegraph from New-York to San Fran
cisco, by means of which communication between the two places is had
in a day, impartsnew interest to the subject, and prompts your petitioners
to renew their appeal.
The uncertainties and perils to commerce, resulting from civil war, and
the possibility of other complications, while they strengthen the desire of
the American merchant to be relieved of a condition of dependency on a
foreign power for the transmission o f his correspondence, present the
most cogent reasons for urging upon Congress the measures referred to,
as a means of protection as well as a source of convenience to our com
merce.
An increasing traffic in merchandise, in treasure and in passengers,
to and from California— to be greatly enlarged when a line of semi
monthly steamers is established— would do much to sustain such an en
terprise, but it cannot be inaugurated and maintained without the coope
rating aid of government.
The Peninsular and Oriental line, connecting England and all the Euro
pean States with China and other nations of the East, requires imperial
support, and this would be a powerful competitor to the American enter
prise whenever it is undertaken.
Therefore, the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New-York ask
o f the Congress o f the United States to give to this subject such early
attention as is due to a great national interest, which is necessary to a
proper development o f the national commerce and to the gratification o f
a just national pride.
The memorial having been read, on motion o f Mr. P. M. W e t m o r e , it
was unanimously
Resolved, That the report o f the Select Committee be accepted, the
memorial adopted, and authenticated copies transmitted without delay to
the Senators in Congress from this State, and to Hon. F. A. C o n k l in g ,
Representative in Congress from this city, with a request that the same
be presented as early as practicable, and the prayer thereof urged upon
the attention o f their respective bodies.
Resolved, That copies o f the memorial be transmitted to the Senators
and Representatives in Congress from California and Oregon, to the
Chambers of Commerce o f San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia and
Baltimore, and Hon. J. M c D o u g a l .
On motion of Mr. W . T. C o l e m a n , a member o f the committee, it was
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Chamber be empowered to print
the memorial to Congress relating to steam communication between San
Francisco and China, and transmit a copy to each member o f the Senate
and House o f Representatives of the United States.
1862.]
Chambers o f Commerce and Boards o f Trade.
39
Mr. D e n n in g D u er submitted a draft o f a memorial to Congress, urg
ing the construction o f a rail-road from New-York to Washington, as a
military, postal and commercial necessity.
C h a m b e r of C o m m er c e , New -York, December 5th, 1861.
To the Senate and House o f Representatives, in Congress assembled:
The Chamber of Commerce o f the State of New-York would call the
attention o f your honorable body, as the representatives o f the people of
the entire country, to the imperfect, inconvenient and unsatisfactory state
of the leading postal route between New-York and Washington. This line
of postal conveyance, commercial traffic and travel comprises, within a
distance o f 240 miles, the capital o f the nation and the three largest
cities of the Union, and forms the central and most important link of
postal and commercial communication between the northeast and south
west. The entire population of five or six millions in all the Eastern
States, and a large portion o f the States o f New-York and New-Jersey,
including this city, with a still larger population in all the States south of
the Potomac and the Ohio, are under the necessity of using this line of
conveyance in all of their intercourse with the opposite region, and this
communication includes the varied operations of commerce, postal affairs
and travel. From the inexorable circumstances of geographical position,
the direction of the shore line, the position o f the bays and rivers, and
the locality of the cities and towns on the route, the State and municipal
authorities having the jurisdiction o f this line of communication, hold
the postal, commercial and travelling facilities o f the people as completely
under their control as they would in the possession of a mountain pass.
W e would beg leave, most respectfully, to represent to your honorable
body that this jurisdiction has been used for purposes of local profit, to
the long continued and serious detriment, inconvenience and expense of
more than twenty millions o f people, who are residents o f at least twentyfive o f the States of our common country.
W e believe they are deprived, in an unjust and illiberal manner, of
one o f the most sacred rights o f a free people— the right of a free and
unrestricted highway for the transaction o f every description o f com
munication and public traffic. There can be, in the opinion of your
memorialists, but one reason advanced for the principal broken links in
this line of conveyance, that reason being unquestionably the local profit
derived by the large towns on the route from the delay forced upon
travellers by a compulsory stoppage in those places. W e would call
the attention of your honorable body to the fact, that these delays and
inconveniences, occasioned by the stoppage o f the railways, do not exist
at other cities and towns on any other leading route in the entire country ;
and yet this particular route between New-York and Washington is Ly
far the most important postal, national and public line of conveyance in
the United States.
It is an instructive fact, that inconveniences like these, from such a
cause, are unknown throughout the most despotic countries of Europe.
W e assert, without fear of contradiction, that wherever a railway system
exists there is not another locality in the civilized world where there is
not a continuous line o f railway either through or by places o f larger size
and more importance than those on this line of conveyance. W e would
humbly represent, that we consider such a state o f things as derogatory
40
Chambers o f Commerce and Boards o f Trade.
[January,
to our character and position as an enlightened people, and antagonistic
to the progressive spirit o f the age.
While the different States possess a certain power in the chartering of
rail-roads, it is fully competent to Congress to take any measures that
may be deemed advisable to establish post or military roads for the use
o f the nation at large. The commercial population o f New-York, both
as citizens o f a common country and as residents o f a city that has at
least one-half o f the foreign commerce of the nation, have a right to pro
test against any local restrictions to commercial intercourse and corre
spondence from one extremity o f the country to the other. These re
strictions do exist, and have existed over the most important line of
conveyance in the country for nearly a quarter o f a century.
In addition to the importance of the road between New-York and
Washington as a postal and commercial route, the present war has shown
its indispensable necessity as a military highway. This topic need not
be enlarged upon. The fact that the capital o f the nation was at one
time in imminent danger of capture, and for the sole reason that these
imperfections in the rail-road communication of which we complain exist,
and the incontestible fact, that at the present day the successful prosecu
tion of a war becomes almost solely a question o f transportation, will con
vince your honorable body that the importance of this line o f conveyance,
in a national point o f view, can scarcely be over-rated.
In conclusion, we would respectfully represent to your honorable body,
that the time for the conveyance o f the mails between New-York and
Washington is now, on an average, not less than twelve hours, while with
a first-class rail-road the time consumed need not exceed six hours. This
acceleration of the mails, we would beg to represent, would be o f vast
advantage to the commercial interests of this city, and to the entire
country. Believing, as we do, that every public interest o f the people
and the nation at large demands a public highway o f the first class
between these important points, and that every year will increase its
value and importance, we would respectfully petition your honorable
body to take immediate measures for the construction o f a double-track
railway, for postal, military and other purposes, from New-York to
Washington. W e do not wish to enter into details as to the mode and
manner o f accomplishing this object, but leave it entirely for the con
sideration of your honorable body. And your petitioners will ever pray.
The memorial having been read, was urged for adoption by Messrs.
and T i l e s t o i t , and was finally referred to the Executive Com
mittee, to report upon at the next meeting o f the Chamber.
Mr. C. II. M a r s h a l l offered the following preamble and resolution,
which were unanimously adopted :
“ Whereas, Our commerce with Europe is very much exposed to the
depredations of rebel pirates, there being no armed national vessels on
that coast at this time,
“ Resolved, That the President o f this Chamber be requested to appoint
a committee to draft a respectful memorial to the Executive, requesting
the speedy despatch o f two or more armed vessels to that coast for the
protection of our marine interests, and to present said memorial with as
little delay as practicable at Washington for a favorable consideration.”
D uer
The President named as this committee Messrs. C. H. M a r s h a l l ,
T . T ile sto n and B . L a t h e r s .
1862.]
Chambers o f Commerce and Boards o f Trade.
41
Mr. G. W . B lunt submitted tbe following letter from J. I n g e r s o l l
o f Boston, Mass., which was read and referred to the trustees
o f “ The Nautical School in the Harbor of New-York
B
o w d it c ii ,
Boston, Nov. 27, 1861.
My Dear Sir,— A communication to the Mercantile Marine Society at
Liverpool, made hy Captain J a m es A n d e r s o n , o f the C un ard steamship
E u r o p a , I think, was presented to the American Academy o f Arts and
Sciences in this city a short time since. It was referred to a committee
to report upon. The object of the communication was to show the im
portance of elevating the character o f the seamen o f Great Britain, and
o f encouraging a corps of observers in the different departments of
science, and to reward such meritorious observers with a “ certificate of
merit,” or some other mark of respect for their services.
In Liverpool they have a school-ship called the C o n w a y . In this
country, we have, I believe, nothing o f the kind. Still, I thought a plan
might be adopted which might bring out those men who would he glad
to employ their leisure time on their long voyages.
Captain A nd erso n recommends that a pamphlet be issued by the
different societies who may he found willing, giving a detailed plan of
such observations each may think it advisable and practicable to have
made by the travellers, to have the same published, and with it the
names of the most distinguished individuals who might be found de
sirous o f aiding the plan.
The American Academy will probably report on astronomy, geology,
zoology, botany, mineralogy, meteorology, & c .; and if blanks on the
different subjects are prepared, and men can he found desirous o f pro
moting the objects aimed at, it seems to me that great good must ensue,
to seamen as well as to societies. To the sailor the benefit would he
great. Many men who have good reputations on shore become, I fear,
when at sea, addicted to drink, from the fact that they have nothing to
occupy themselves about. This plan would fill up their vacant time,
make them feel that they were adding something to the general stock of
knowledge, and encourage them to pursue the course o f observation
marked out to them for its own sake.
I want to know if you do not think, if the Academy should publish a
report and circulate it among seamen, that some men would be found
anxious and desirous of forwarding the plan o f the society ?
I suppose you have, as I have, occupation enough just now in thinking
about our common country ; hut I fancied that you would never forget
the sailor, and have therefore addressed you.
If, when you have a leisure moment, you would drop me a line, with
your views on the subject, making any suggestions you may deem proper,
I should be much obliged.
The Chamber o f Commerce, if it could be brought to bear on the
matter, would, I conceive, be an important auxiliary.
Yery truly yours,
J. I n g e r s o l l B o w d itc h .
P. S. I hope you keep up a good heart and cheerful tone. I have
not felt unhappy since the flag on Sumter was trailed in the dust.
On the contrary, believing in the justice o f our cause, and having
42
[January,
Chambers o f Commerce and Boards o f Trade.
faith that the God o f the fathers would not desert the children, I
have kept myself in g ood spirits and perfect health, and hope to
continue so unto the end.
D o you feel that the end is near ?
Sometimes I do.
I can’t believe that the great body of Southern
men can be so crazy as to believe we desire to destroy them.
The Secretary reported that Mr. P e r r y M cD o n o u g h C o l l in s , late
commercial agent of the United States at the Amoor, has prepared and
presented to the Chamber a map, showing the proposed telegraph route
from New-York to St. Petersburg, and showing the portion now finished
and in working order, (about four thousand miles.)
The following gentlemen were nominated for membership :
N o m in a ted b y
J ohn E. F o r b e s ,
D a n ie l W ill is J a m es ,
J ohn S l a d e ,
G e o r g e C abot W a r d ,
D a v id W atts ,
103
21
22
56
45
Wall-street,
Cliff-street,
Park Place,
Wall-street,
Broad-street,
C h a r l e s II. T r a s k .
C harles H . T r ask .
J oseph A . Sw e e tse r .
A le xa n d e r C am pbell.
T h om as T . S h e f f ie l d .
And the Chamber adjourned.
J. S m ith H
M e m o rial
to
om ans ,
Secretary.
P r e sid e n t L in coln .
The Special Committee o f the Yew-York Chamber of Commerce re
ported the following memorial, which, on the 10th of December, was
duly transmitted to the President o f the United States :
Chamber o f Commerce o f the State o f New- York, December 10th, 1861.
To His Excellency, A b r a h a m L in co l n ,
President o f the United States:
The Chamber of Commerce o f the State o f New-York respectfully
ask your attention to the necessity which now exists for the speedy de
spatch o f armed vessels o f the United States to the coast of Europe, for
the protection of our merchant marine trading between ports of the loyal
States and European ports.
The destruction, in the English Channel, on the 16th o f November
last, by the rebel steamer N a s h v il l e , of the New-York packet ship
H a r v e y B ir c h , one o f our largest and finest carrying vessels, bound
from Havre to New-York, gives rise to apprehensions that similar depre
dations on our commerce will be attempted with equal success, unless
the most efficient measures for their prevention are taken at once.
The apprehensions thus excited have caused a great advance in the
rates o f insurance on both sides o f the Atlantic, are producing much
alarm among shippers and consignees, and also causing serious disquiet
with regard to the safety o f passengers. It is apparent that the out
rages committed on the flag and commerce of the United States, hitherto
confined to our own coasts, will be repeated wherever the opportunity
occurs, unless promptly checked by the intervention of the government.
In behalf of the vast commercial and national interests thus imperilled,
1862.]
Chambers o f Commerce and Boards o f Trade.
43
and to avert the disastrous consequences which will follow if the passage
o f our merchant ships on the great highways of European trade is liable
to such fatal interruptions, we respectfully and urgently solicit that you
will immediately cause to be stationed a sufficient number of steam ves
sels oft' the coast of Europe, where our commerce is most exposed, to
guard against further acts o f piracy upon our merchant marine, and to
punish those who may attempt them.
B y order o f the Chamber.
P . P e r it , President Chamber o f Commerce.
J. S m ith H
o m an s ,
T he N a u t ic a l
Secretary.
S chool
in
the
H arbor
of
N e w - Y ork.
The Chamber o f Commerce, in October, 1861, elected the following
gentlemen as trustees of the Nautical School for the Harbor of NewY ork : E llw o o d W a l t e r , G e o r o e D. M o r g a n , E z r a N y e .
Governor M o r g a n has, in behalf o f the State, appointed A riel A .
Low and E l is h a E. M o r g a n as trustees of the Nautical School. This
completes the number of trustees authorized by the act o f the legisla
ture, April, 1861.
The Secretary of the Chamber o f Commerce has received copies o f
the following works for gratuitous distribution among members who de
sire them :
I. Papers relating to the Foreign Affairs o f the United States, year
1861. Transmitted by Hon. W . Id. S e w a r d , Secretary o f State, Dec.,
1861. Octavo, pp. 426.
II. Annual Report o f the Patent Office of the United States on
Agriculture, for the year 1860. One volume, 8vo., pp. 504, with engrav
ings.
III. Sjieech of Hon. J oseph H olt before the Chamber o f Commerce
and citizens o f New-York, at Irving Hall, Tuesday, September 3, 1861.
IY. The Utility and Application of Heat as a Disinfectant. B y
E l is h a H a r r is , M. D., of New-York. Octavo, pp. 22.
V. Annual Report o f the Cincinnati Chamber o f Commerce, for the
year ending 31st August, 1861. 8vo. pp. 58.
Recent Donations to the Library o f the Chamber o f Commerce.
I. Recent Tariff changes by France, Russia and twelve other govern
ments, 1860— 1861.
II. British Government Correspondence, respecting trade with Japan.
III. Parliamentary Report on Steamships between Galway and the
United States.
IV. Correspondence between England and the United States govern
ment, on Blockade, 1861.
V. Letter (and chart) from the Secretary of State o f H. B. M., on the
Explorations of the Amoor River.
I I . E . M O R I N G -’S M O N T H L Y
C O F F E E
C IR C U L A R .
Stock o f Coffee at the five principal P orts o f the United States o f America, on the ls i o f December, 1861.
Br a z il .
Stock.
D o m in g o .
L a g u a y r a . M a r a c a ib o .
Bom bay.
S a v a n il l a .
B ags, 160 lbs. B ags, 130 lb s. B ag s, 110 lb s. |B ag s, 120 lb s. B ags, 150 lb s. B ags, 120 lbs.
N e w -Y o r k ,............
B o s to n ,....................
Philadelphia,.........
B a ltim o re ,.............
N ew -O rleans,* . . .
54,305
5.950
3,000
17,367
none.
2,275
1,382
333
13,284
none.
3,657
6,075
D ecrease,................
Increase,.................
30,937
2,418
....
none.
none.
1,333
400
13,2S4
933
1,184
1 2 ,1 0 0
* N o data from N ew -O rleans since 1st September.
1861, 5,110
do.
609
do.
263
do.
1,240
do.
none.
T ota l, 1st D ecem ber, 1861,
age for last 13 m onths,
1,800
400
1861.
7,222 tons,
9,560 “
9,745 “
13,883 “
14,211 “
14,675 “
11,104 “
6.971 “
5,759 “
8,452 “
9,935 “
9,149 “
6,189 “
none.
none.
275
265
none.
none.
none.
229
321
8,428
10,991
2 ,2 0 0
2,679
2,700
3,025
92
2,563
479
325
10
1859.
1858.
5,110
609
263
1,240
none.
2,233
3
95
1,429
2,429
3,216
7S4
594
2.143
4,643
3,307
983
643
643
1,429
1,500 I
1,500
7,222
9,560
6,189
2,575
11,3S0
10,714
7,010
7,239
.
....
2,338
1 ,2 0 0
1,500
1860.
i,500
none.
1
1
229
3,614
666
* Ceylon, *216 bags o f 154 lbs., 8,1S2 m ats o f 51 lbs.
1861.
tons, against 1st N o v b ’ r, 1861, 7,120 tons. D ecrease, 2,010 tons, or 2S per cent. Stock, 1st N ovem ber,.,.tons,
9,560
do.
do.
do.
'"do.
797 “
do.
' 188 d o / “
24 do.
A d d receipts in d o .,___
2,18S
do.
do.
do.
214 “
do.
do.
Increase,
49 do. “ 23
do.
do.
do. 1,429 “
do.
Decrease, 1S9 do. “
23 do.
T otal supply,................
11,748
do.
do. none. “
do.
do.
do.
do. “
13 do.
D educt stock, 1st D ec.,
7,222
44
7,222 tons, against 1st N ovb’ r, 1S61 9,560 tons. D ecrease, 2,338 tons, or 24 per cent. D istribution in N o v b ’ r,. ttons,
against
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
1st D ecem ber, 1860, 6,189 tons.
1st N ovem ber, “
2,575
1st O ctober,
“
2,719 “
1st Septem ber, “
4,370 “
1st A u gust,
u
3,033
5,350 u
1st Ju ly,
“
1 st June,
“
4,710
1st Mav,
“
3,SOS u
1st A p ril,
“
4,155 »
1st M arch,
“
5,S20
1st February,
“
8.273 u
1st January,
“
13,595
1st D ecem ber, 1859, 11,380 ((
Increase,
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Decrease,
do.
5,844 tons.
Increase,
9,753 tons, against the previous 13 months,
u
1830.
2,575
9,112
11,687
6,189
4,526
5,493
D istribution in January, tons 9,659
or 17 per cent.
do.
February, “
11,841
do.
do.
M arch,
“
9,247
“ 271
“ 259
do.
do.
A pril,
“
5,859
“ 216
do. ;
do.
M ay,
“
4,684
“ 363
do.
Jun e,
“
4,254
do. |
do.
do.
Ju ly,
“
8,048
“ 174
do.
August.,
“
5,644
“ 136
do.
do.
Septem ber, “
8,130
“ 63
do.
do.
O ctober,
“
“ 39
do.
2,937
« 45
do.
N ovem b’ r, “
4,526
do.
“ 20
do.
D ecem ber, “
do.
“ 33
do.
T otal in 12 m on th s,___ tons,
do.
“ 45
do. first 1 1 m o n th s,.. “
74,829
8,914 tons, o r 67 per ce n t.’ A v era ge per m on th ,___ “
6,803
12,434
10,640
5,926
4,663
6,449
5,862
5,372
4,056
6,748
8,627
5,498
4,6S8
1,033 tons,
6,9S5 “
7,026 “
9,513 “
11,178 “
9,325 “
6,394 “
3.163 “
1,604 “
2,632 u
1,662 “
4,446 “
5,191 “
80,963
76,275
6,934
[January,
1st D ecem ber, 1861,
1st N ovem ber, “
1st O ctober,
“
1st Septem ber, “
1st August,
“
1st Ju ly,
1st Ju n e,
“
1st M av,
“
1st A p ril.
“
1st M arch,
“
1st February,
“
1st January,
“
1st D ecem ber, 1S60,
8,423
T ota l T o n s.
SlNGAPORB.
M ats, 60 lb s.
Monthly Coffee Circular.
80,622
111,559
D ecem ber,
do.
do.
do.
do.
229
Java.
B a g s, 130 lbs. M a ts, 60 lb s.
1 ,0 0 0
T otal 1st D e c .,..
do. 1st N o v .,.
Stock in N e w -Y o r k , 1st
B oston,
Philadelphia,
Baltim ore,
N ew -O rleans,
275
Ceylon.
P a ck a g e s .*
COFFEE
M A R K E T S
OF
THE
W O R L D .
Imports, Stocks and Distribution o f Coffee in the five principal Ports o f the United States, up to November 30th.
I m ports u p
to
30th of N o v em ber .
1861.
1860.
1859.
1858.
A v era ge.
1862.]
THE
N e w - Y ork Q u otation s .
N e w -Y o r k ,............................................
B o s t o n ,..................................................
P h iladelphia,........................................
B a ltim o re ,............................................
N e w -O rlea n s,......................................
44,154 tons.
3,20T “
6,330 “
9,591
“
9,620 “
30,056 tons.
8,913 “
6,119 “
12,268 “
16,513 “
38,720 tons.
6,509 “
12,569 “
15,903 “
24,109 “
87,6S4 tons.
6,737 “
8,910 “
12,174 “
17,918 “
37,653 tons.
5,092 “
8,482 “
12,484 “
17,040 “
T o ta l,..............................................
A d d stock, January 1st,..................
72,902 tons.
9,149 “
68,369 tons.
13,595 “
97,810 tons.
8,910 “
83,423 tons.
22,740 “
80,751 tons.
13,598 “
B io , p r im e ,___
“ fa ir,..........
T otal supply in 11 m onths,___
D ed u ct stock, D ecem ber 1st,........
82,051 tons.
7,222 “
82,464 tons.
6,189 “
106,720 tons.
11,880 “
106,163 tons.
7,010 “
94,349 tons.
7,950 “
J a v a , ................
C ey lon ,..............
St. D o m in g o ,..
D istribution in 11 m onths,..............
“
m onthly a v e ra g e ,___
74,829 tons.
6,S03 “
76,275 tons.
6,934 “
95,340 tons.
S, 6 6 8
“
99,153 tons.
9,014 “
86,399 tons.
7,854 “
In clu din g duty o f 4 cents per pound.
21
—
—
@ 2 2 four and six mos.
@ 19
“
“
@ 13% cash in bond.
Stocks, Receipts and Distribution o f Coffee in the six principal Depots o f Europe, up to ls< November.
Monthly Coffee Circular.
C en ts p e r lb.
1 7 ^ @ 13 four months.
16^@ 17
“
£
Stock 1 st N ov e m be r .
1861.
In H o lla n d ,...............................tons,
A n t w e r p ,............................
“
T r ie s te ,.................................
H a v r e ,..................................
“
“
T ota l, N ovem ber, 1 s t,.. tons,
do. O ctober 1st,..........
“
do. Septem ber 1 s t,... “
17,200
2,300
7,000
2,800
8,150
1S60.
1S59.
1S58.
A verage.
8 ,1 0 0
25,500
1,650
3,000
2,500
3,950
7,250
28,950
3.600
4,500
1,950
3.600
10,650
25,100
4,600
5,750
3,150
2,800
9,500
24,1 S7
3,037
5,062
2,600
3.375
8,875
40,550
48,650
51,700
43.850
50.850
53.000
53.250
55,150
65.250
50,900
59,650
79.750
47,136
53,575
62,425
1861.
1860.
T otal stock, January 1st,.......................... tons,
do. receipts up to N ovem ber 1st,___ “
45,100
167,600
52,250
150,650
T otal supply for 10 m onths,..................
D educt stock, N ovem ber 1 s t,..................
“
“
212,700
40,550
202,900
43,850
D istribution in 10 m onths,........................
do.
in O ctober,............................
K eceipts in
do.
......................
A v era ge distributions per m onth............
“
“
“
“
172,150
20,700
12,600
17,215
159,050
21,600
14,600
15,905
K eceipts a n d D ist r ib u tio n .
The Crop year of Ceylon, ending 30th September, yielded 30,159 tons, against 31,643 tons in 1860; 29,228 tons in 1859, and 27,632 tons in 1858,
an average o f 29,665 tons in four years.
a*
II.
E .
M O R IN G -’S
M O N T H L Y
S U G A R
C IR C U L A R .
Imports, Stocks cmd Distribution o f Sugar in the fo u r principal Ports o f the United States, up to 30th November.
1S60.
1859.
N e w -Y o r k ,............................................
B os to n ,....................................................
P h iladelphia,........................................
B altim ore,..............................................
194,981 tons.
29,419 “
20,214 “
11,752 “
245,721 tons.
47,941 44
81,657 44
30,265 44
201,0S3 tons.
31,470 44
29,780 44
21,354 44
191,570 tons.
31,105 44
24,561 44
22,826 44
20S,339 tons.
34,984 44
26,553 44
21,549 “
T o t a l,..............................................
A d d stock, January 1 s t,....................
256,366 tons.
56,394 44
855,5S4 tons.
24,140 44
2S3,6S7 tons.
15,333 44
270,062 tons.
18,103 44
291,425 tons.
2S,493 44
T otal supply in 11 m on th s,___
D ed u ct stock, D ecem ber 1st,..........
312,760 tons.
82,6S7 44
379,724 tons.
67,855 44
299,020 tons.
30,3S7 44
2S8,165 tons.
20,284 44
D istribution in 11 m o n th s ,. . .*
44
m onthly average,.
2S0,073 tons.
25,461 44
311,869 tons.
28,352 44
26S,633 tons.
24,421 44
267,881 tons.
24,353 44
1S58.
A verage.
N e w - Y o r k Q u otation s .
In clu d in g 2 cents per poun d duty.
Cents p er lb.
Cuba, fair refin in g,.......... 7% © 7 % four m os.
8)i
44
44
fair g r o c e r v ,.......... 8
44
H avana, N o . 12, .. 8% @ 8 %
44
819,918 tons.
44
M e la d o ,................... 4)4 @ h)i
“
37,803 44
Pernams, A m er. brow n,. 7)4
7%
44
2S2,115 tons. M anila current cla yed ,... 7)4
25,647 44
@ 1% six m os.
* In clu d in g exp ort o f 24,599 tons from 1st January to 31st July— n o export since.
Stocks, Receipts and Distribution o f Sugar in the six principal Depots o f Europe, up to ls< November.
S tock , 1 st N ov e m be r .
1860.
1859.
1858.
A verage.
R eceipts a n d D istr ib u tio n .
1861,
In H olland,.................................. tons,
A n tw e r p ,................................ 44
H am bu rg,............................... 44
T r ie s te ,.................................... 44
H a v r e ,..................................... 44
17,500
2,150
7,000
2,850
8,250
131,300
7,250
800
4,000
1,950
5,750
104,250
13,500
3,050
5,750
3.950
8.950
125,200
6,250
1,650
1,500
7,100
500
104,300
11,125
1,912
4.561
3,960
5.562
116,262
T otal Stock, January 1st,............................ tons,
44 receipts up to N ovem ber 1 s t , ........ 44
90,850
626,200
125,250
526,350
T otal supply for 10 m on th s,....................
D edu ct stock, N ovem ber 1 s t,....................
44
44
717.050
169.050
651,600
124,000
Total, N ovem ber 1st,___
44 O ctober 1 s t , ..........
44 Septem ber 1st,___
169.050
188.050
185,350
124,000
139,050
147,300
160,400
162,800
148,000
121,300
1136,350
136,550
143,682
156,438
154,299
44
in O cto b e r,. ......................
R eceipts
44
......................
A v era ge distribution per m o n th ,..............
44
44
44
548,000
56.250
37.250
54,800
527,600
49,450
34,400
52,760
44
44
44
1860.
[January,
1861.
Monthly Sugar Circular.
1861.
I mports itp to 30tii of N ov e m be r .
1862.]
Stock o f Sugar at the fo u r principal P orts o f the United States o f America on the 1st o f December, 1861.
H hd s.
S tock.
F o r e ig n ,
D om estic,
1,400 lbs.
1,100
23,461
2,742
797
1,246
T otal, 1st D ec.,
do. 1st N ov.,
D e cre a s e ,............
Increase,..............
28,246
31,313
3,067
B ox es,
450 lb s.
B ag s,
as p e r s p eci
fica tion .
J ava,
B askets,
600 lbs.
lbs.
828
1,594
‘ 300
1,128
1,512
384
1,594
2,521
13,848
5,236
2,360
160
21,604
16,325
972
I86 0.
1861.
226,553
240,2S6
2,352
3,852
32,687
35,182
44,221
12,030
3,303
8,301
67,855
75,8S8
13,728
1,500
2,495
8,033
135,162
74,S95
2,352
16,501
24,120
5,844
972
1,751
1859.
M a n il a ,
C h in a ,
70 lb s.
130 lb s.
1858.
23,766
4,359
921
1,341
15,225
1,306
720
2,533
30,3S7
40,076
9,6S9
20,284
81,8S0
11,569
Sin g a p o r e ,
S i a m an d
C alcutta.
130 lb s.
21,700
3,200
9,66b
180,496
1SS,502
21,700
24,428
3,200
7,955
8,006
2,728
4,755
99,601
71,895
B r a z il ,
M a u r it iu s ,
150 lb s .
160 lb s.
10,661
3,000
5,500
19,161
17,400
2 ,o o i
2 ,0 0 1
2 ,0 0 1
l,7 6 i
5,279
1861.
Stock in N ew -Y ork , 1st D ec., 1S61, 24,120 tons, against, 1st N o v ., 1861, 27,417 tons. D ecrease, 8,297 tons, o r
tt
Boston,
44
3,844 44
44
«
" 344 44
or
5,500 44 Philadelphia,
“
972 44
44
“
or
Increase,
477 44
495 44
Baltim ore,
44
1,751 “
“
“
or
19 44
1,770 44
D ecrease,
T otal, 1st D ec., 1861, 32,6S7 tons, against, 1st N o v ., 1861, 35,182 tons.
Stock, 1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1st
1 st
1st
1st
D ecem ber, 1861,
N ovem ber,
“
O ctober,
44
Septem ber, 44
August,
44
Ju ly,
“
Jun e,
“
M ay,
“
A p ril,
“
M arch,
“
February,
“
January,
44
D ecem ber, 1S60,
32,6S7 tons, against, 1st D ecem ber, 1860, 67.855 tons.
35,182 “
"
1st N ovem ber, "
75.855
42,377 “
1st October,
89,458
63,557 “
1st Septem ber,
109,106
82,076 “
1st A u gust, '
95,050
91,140 44
1st July,
83,169
83,953 “
1st June,
65,673
67,281 “
1st May,
53,701
55,884 “
1st A pril,
30,831
42,S23 “
1st M arch,
21,510
46,825 “
1st February,
18,930
56,394 44
1st January,
24,140
67,855 “
1st D ecem ber, 1859, 30,3S7
A vera ge for the last 13 m os., 59,080 tons, against, the previous 13 m onths, 58,900 tons.
D e crease, 2,495 tons, o r
Stock, 1st N ovem ber, .tons.
12 per cent. A d d receipts in d o .,. . . 44
n"
6
44
96
44
T otal su p p ly,............ 44
1
44
D educt stock, 1st D e c. 44
7 per cent.
D ecrease, 35,168 tons, or 52 per cent.
“
40,706 “
o r 54
“
47,081 “
o r 54
44
45,549 44 o r 42
44
12,974 44 o r 13
or
Increase,
7,971
44
18,2S0
44
13,580
44
25,053
44
21,31 3
44
27,895
44
32,254
44
37,468
Increase,
180 tons, o r
D istribution in N ov.
44
D istribution in Jan., tons.
tt
44
F eb.,
44
M arch, u
“
A pril, tt
44
M ay,
tt
44
June,
tt
44
July,
“
44
44
44
44
A u g.,
Sept.,
O ct.,
N o v.,
D ec.,
T otal in 12 m onths.
44
first 1 1 44
.. per cent. A vera ge per m onth,
tt
it
35,182
11,711
75,888
12,110
46,893
32,6S7
87,998
67,855
14,2061 20,148
19,446
24,176
28,372
28,060
38,9S0
21,735
29,383
33,646
27,544
14,525
14,206
it
tt
280,073
25,461
14,043
15,917
21,846
24,857
40,059
28,165
40,381
26,176
47,563
32,719
20,143
20,340
332,209
311,869
28.352
Monthly Sugar Circular.
N e w -Y o r k ,........
B os to n ,................
Philadelphia, . . .
B a ltim ore,..........
S p e c if ic a t io n o f B a g s .
T o ta l T ons.
M k la do ,
H h d s.,
1,400 lbs.
48
[January,
Statistics o f Population.
STATISTICS
OF
POPULATION.
EMIGRATION.
O f the 128,469 persons who emigrated from the United Kingdom
last year, 26,421 were English, 8,723 Scotch, 60,835 Irish, 4,536
foreigners, and 27,944 not distinguished; 9,746 were marrie'd men,
12,434 married women, 38,783 single men, 27,511 single women, 6,681
boys, between the ages o f 1 and 12, 6,497 girls, between the same ages,
3,085 infants, and 23,732 not distinguished. 87,500 emigrants left these
shores for the United States; 13,556 o f these were English, 2,220
Scotch; 52,103 Irish, 3,851 foreigners, and 15,770 not distinguished;
6,553 were married men, 8,269 married women, 27,547 single men,
20,925 single women, 4,172 boys, between the ages o f 1 and 12, 4,178
girls between,the same ages, 2,210 infants, and 13,646 not distinguished,
O f the 24,302 who emigrated to the Australian colonies and New Zea
land, 10,099 were English, 4,990 Scotch, 6,345 Irish, 578 foreigners, and
2,290 not distinguished ; 2,380 were married men, 2,928 married women,
9,095 single men, 5,456 single women, 1,782 boys between the ages of
1 and 12, 1,628 girls between same ages, 655 infants, and 378 not dis
tinguished. O f the 9,786 who emigrated to British North America, 559
were English, 991 Scotch, 1,215 Irish, 73 foreigners, and 6,948 not dis
tinguished; 248 were married men, 371 married women, 1,089 single
men, 606 single women, 259 boys between the ages o f 1 and 12, 214
girls between the same ages, 95 infants, and 6,904 not distinguished.
O f the 6,881 who went to “ all other places,” 2,207 were English, 532
Scotch, 1,172 Irish, 34 foreigners, and 2,936 not distinguished; 565
were married men, 866 married women, 1,052 single men, 524 single
women, 468 boys between the ages o f 1 and 12, and 477 girls between
the same ages, 125 infants, and 2,804 not distinguished.
THE
IRISH
CENSUS
FOR
1861.
An abstract of the Irish census returns has at length been published.
A decrease in the population o f Ireland is shown, but the falling off is
less than might have been anticipated. The population, on the 8th of
April last, was 5,764,543, against 6,552,385 in 1851, and 8,175,124 in
1841. This decrease o f about twelve per cent, during the last ten years
is attributed chiefly to emigration, but the Commissioners add, that it
must also be remembered that the effects o f the disastrous period of
famine and pestilence, which commenced with the potato blight o f 1846
and 1847, had extended over the first few years of the decade. Dublin
county, Carrickfergus and Belfast are the only localities in the country
in which an increase is show n; the increase in Belfast amounting to
nineteen per cent. It will be remembered that the “ religious profession ”
clause, which a dissenting agitation contrived to exclude from the Eng
lish census bill, was retained in the bill for Ireland; and this enables us
1802.]
49
Statistics o f Population.
to see what a startling minority of the population o f the sister island be
longed to the Established Church. The Catholics number about four
and a half millions, while the Episcopalians are stated to muster only
678,000. It is mentioned, as a gratifying fact, that the workhouse popu
lation, the day before the census was taken, was but 50,570, against
something like five times that number in 1851.
POPULATION
OP
THE
UNITED
KINGDOM.
The completed returns show that the population found in the United
Kingdom at the recent census, not reckoning army, navy or merchant
seamen who were abroad, amounted to 29,031,298, an increase of 61
per cent, in fifty years, notwithstanding that they have been planting
nations by a vast emigration. The census found there 14,077,189 males
and 14,954,109 females— an excess of females over males o f 876,920.
The overplus of women and girls in England would fill all Liverpool and
Leeds; in Scotland, all Edinburgh; in Ireland, all Belfast, Waterford
and Wexford. There are sixteen towns in the United Kingdom with a
population exceeding 100,000, and six parishes in the outskirts of Lon
don with such a population— one o f them (St. Pancras) with very nearly
200,000 (198,882.) The number o f inhabited houses in the United
Kingdom is 5,154,985, which allows a house to every 5.6 persons.
CENSUS
OF
NEW
SOUTH
WALES.
The population of this colony, as returned from the census taken on
the 7th of April, 1861, is 350,553, against 251,834 in 1856, showing an
increase o f 98,719, or 39.20 per cent. These results are exclusive o f the
Moreton Bay district, which, since 1856, has been severed from New
South Wales. The population o f Sydney is 56,470, exclusive of the
suburbs and environs, which contain 36,732 inhabitants. In 1851 the
population of New South Wales, exclusive of Port Philip (now Victoria)
and Moreton Bay, (now Queensland,) was 181,376. The number o f
emigrants since 1851 is 147,661, o f whom 71,649 were introduced at
the public, and 76,012 at their own expense.
POPULATION
OF
PARIS.
The following is the movement o f the population o f Paris and o f the
department of the Seine, since the quinquennial census o f 1856, as shown
by that which has just taken place. The population of enlarged Paris,
divided into 20 arrondissements and 80 quarters, now amounts to
1,696,000, being 521,654 more than it was in the 12 arrondissements in
1856. In the department o f the Seine the number is now 1,953,000,
being an increase since 1856 of 225,581.
CAUSES
OF
DEATH.
To the Registrar-General’ s report is appended, as usual, an instructive
paper b y Dr. W . F a r r , on the causes o f death in England. The year
now reported on, 1859, is the first in which diptheria has obtained a
VOL.
x l v i .— n o .
i.
4
[January,
Statistics o f Population.
50
distinct line in the tables. It had previously been confounded with
cynanche; and when the two are put together, the rapid progress o f this
great epidemic becomes evident. The deaths in 1855 were 385 ; in
1856, 603 ; in 1857, 1,583; in 1858, 6,606; in 1859, 10,184. Epi
demics o f diptheria are clearly described in the seventeenth century, by
Italian and Spanish writers, and its frequent association with scarlatina
justifies the inference that the diptherine, its materies morbi, is some
modification o f scarlatina. O f the whole deaths o f the year, one-fourth
were referred to zymotic diseases. Small-pox destroyed 3,848 persons,
chiefly children, who had not been vaccinated, an instance, as Dr. F a r r
remarks, o f the rigor with which the infringement o f sanitary laws is
visited, for the children perish and the parents lose their offspring by
the neglect o f a precaution o f the simplest kind. A fatal outbreak of
erysipelas at the Winchester Infirmary was traced to a cess-pool. O f
the parasitic diseases, it is remarked that the ova o f worms must be de
rived generally from impure river waters, into which the refuse o f towns
is poured. W e have but an imperfect conception o f the number of
deaths from excessive drinking; but 345 were directly ascribed to in
temperance and 545 to delirium tremens, 890 in all, from the two forms
of alcoholism. Passing next to constitutional diseases, another regiment
o f the enemies that dog our steps, we find gout described as nearly sta
tionary ; it is considered that, thanks to the more intelligent system o f
dining which the wealthier classes, wearied with this racking disease,
will probably introduce, we may hope to see gout rapidly decline. The
deaths from tuberculous disease have decreased since 1853 ; those from
bronchitis have increased very greatly o f late years. Among local dis
eases we find affections of the three vital organs, the brain, the heart and
the lungs, causing nearly a third o f all the deaths of the year. Fright
was the cause o f seven deaths, (not all children,) grief, o f eight, (seven
women,) rage, o f five, (four infants,) anxiety, o f one, (a man,) mental
shock, of one, (a wom an;) melancholy, o f the deaths o f 21 men and 26
women. About 25,000, chiefly infants, died o f convulsions— a striking
and distressing symptom, but probably only part o f the disease, which
is the result of organic lesions and local irritations that are never dis
covered. 27,104 deaths are referred to the decay o f old age, without
any disease; the “ weary wheel o f life at length stood still.” 14,649
persons were killed— a sad confession, says Dr. F a r r , for a nation hu
mane, civilized and skilled in all the arts, to have to make. Annually
75 persons in 100,000 thus die a violent death. 13,056 o f these deaths,
in 1859, are ascribed to accident or negligence ; among them were 279
by poison. 1,248 deaths were declared by coroner’s juries to be suicides;
338 murder or manslaughter.
18 persons were killed by lightning,
nearly all persons o f out-door occupations; the house is safer than the
field. It is hoped that the arrangement for paying coroners by salary
will bring better information on the subject o f violent and sudden deaths,
and throw new light on their causes.
DRINKING
AND
PAUPERISM
IN
IRELAND.
Mr. B e n ja m in S cott , Chamberlain o f the city o f London, read a paper
at the recent Social Science Congress in Dublin, in which he pointed out
1862.]
Statistics o f Population.
51
the intimate relation which exists between intemperance and pauperism,
between temperance and self-reliant action on the part o f the people.
W e give the following extract: “ The home consumption of spirits in
Ireland materially diminished during the last five years, the number of
gallons being respectively, 1856, 6,781,068; 1857, 6,920,046; 1858,
5,636,912 ; 1859, 5,748,534 ; 1860, 4,714,358, showing a-falling off in
consumption during the period o f no less than 2,066,710 gallons o f that
which is the staple drink o f the class from which paupers are gathered.
That this is not the result of inability on the part o f the people to ob
tain the indulgence had they desired it, is evident from the increased
consumption o f tea and coffee during the corresponding period, and the
augmented number o f depositors and their deposits in the savings banks.
The consumption of tea and coffee increased in Ireland from 9,171,257
pounds in 1856, to 11,563,634 in 1859, an increase in the period em
braced o f no less than 2,392,374 pounds ; while between 1855 and 1859
there was an increase o f 11,047 depositors in savings banks, and o f
382,122 deposits. Now let us turn from these cheering indications of
increasing temperance and providence to the gauge o f pauperism, and
the correspondence between temperance and self-reliance is again appar
ent. The total numbers in workhouses in Ireland from 1855 to 1860,
and the total poor rate collected in those years, are as follows : Paupers
in workhouses, 1855, 79,211; 1856, 63,235; 1857, 50,665; 1858,
45,720; 1859,40,380; 1860,41,271. Rates collected, 1855, £835,894;
1856, £723,204; 1857, £585,583; 1858, £525,595; 1859, £523,065;
1860, £509,310. Showing a reduction in the period o f 37,940 paupers,
and of £326,514 rates collected. It is probable that many disturbing
circumstances should be taken into account in dealing with these statis
tics, but the great and incontrovertible fact remains, and the moral it
conveys.”
According to the London Review there has been a comparative de
crease of pauperism in England. That journal says, it is satisfactory to
notice that the increase o f population since 1851 is accompanied by a
comparative decrease o f pauperism. W e have long known in general
that the fact is s o ; now we have it confirmed. The population o f Eng
land and Wales increased in the ten years 2,134,116, or 12 per cent.
The total number o f paupers, in door and out, relieved-on January 1st,
1851, was 860,893, and on January 1st, 1861, 890,423, an increase o f
29,530, or only f per cent. The positive increase o f paupers is, in re
lation to the increase o f people, a decrease o f nearly three-fourths. To
have preserved the former proportion, the number o f paupers should
have been 964,000 at the beginning o f the year.
The satisfaction is increased when we find, further, that the propor
tion of pauperism is less in those districts in which the population is rela
tively the most numerous and has increased the most. The proportion
o f pauperism to population is, for England and Wales, 4.4 per cent.;
for the metropolis, 3.6; for the northwestern division, including Lan
cashire, 2.8 ; while for the southwestern, the most remarkable for a rela
tive excess o f births and small increase o f people, the proportion is 5.5 ;
and for the particular counties o f Cambridge, Norfolk and Wilts, of
which the population has declined, the proportion respectively is 7, 5.6,
and 7 per cent. If an increase and aggregation o f people carried with
them an increase of poverty and misery, the future prospects of society
[January,
Statistics o f Population.
52
would be extremely disheartening, and therefore the evidence that pau
perism diminishes in proportion as the population is large and increasing,
is full of hope and encouragement.
EMPLOYMENT
OF
WOMEN.
M a r ia S. R y e , o f the Law-Copying Office, 12 Portugal-street, Lincoln’s
Inn, writes to the Daily News as follow s: It will readily be believed
that all the offices opened by or in connection with the " Society for
Promoting the Employment of W omen” have been besieged by ladies
anxiouh to obtain employment. When I state that 810 women applied
(about a month ago) for one situation of £15 a year, and 250 for another
place worth £12 per annum, (only a fortnight since,) it will at once be
seen that, in spite o f all our efforts, the work still presses most heavily.
The advantages o f and the difficulties in the way o f the emigration of
educated women are being very seriously reconsidered, and it is intended
shortly to open an office for the purpose of assisting ladies to the colo
nies. As the scheme, however, is shortly to be brought before the pub
lic, at Dublin, it will be unnecessary to enter into details here. I shall
only add, that we have, during the past year, sent twenty ladies, govern
esses, as pioneers, in various directions, namely, to Sydney, Melbourne,
Brisbane, Otago and Natal.
UNDUE
INCREASE
OF
THE
FEMALE
POPULATION.
It is far less satisfactory to notice that the increase o f males in the.ten
years— 977,627, was much less than the increase of females— 1,156,489.
The females increased in excess o f the males 178,862. B y the census o f
1851, the proportion o f males to females was 100 to 105; in the new
population it is as 97 to 115. W hat may have been the effects o f such
a discrepancy over pauperism and crime cannot be ascertained ; but in
it we may find, rather than in any deterioration of the moral feelings o f
the nation, the parentage o f the disorders which a few months back
excited attention, alarm and commisseration.
EFFECTS
OF
EMIGRATION.
The Registrar-General and his assistants attribute the retarded rate o f
increase in the decennial period to active emigration. This explanation
seems incorrect; and if correct, would go but a little way towards eluci
dating the cause o f this unfortunate discrepancy. The increase o f
population, however, as a whole— another name for society and the rela
tive increase of its constituent portions— are both so extremely impor
tant that the causes which impede or derange them [ought to be closely
and carefully investigated. A similar kind o f active emigration, if not
precisely equal to that o f the last ten years, has been going on through
the whole century; and as it did not retard the increase then, we cannot
believe that it has retarded it now. Throughout the century, and even
before it began, emigration to our own colonies and to the United States
had the obvious effect of increasing our supplies o f corn, cotton, wool,
timber, & c.; and being conjoined with an active improvement in manu-
1862.]
Statistics o f Population.
53
factoring skill, and an extension o f manufacturing industry, the increased
supplies resulting from emigration increased the home population. Emi
gration within the last ten years has increased our supplies o f gold and
wool, increased our trade, our wealth and our means o f subsistence, and,
like emigration in the previous decennial periods, has accelerated not re
tarded, the rate of increase in our population.— Times.
EFFECT
OF
WAR.
The far more obvious causes o f the retarded rate o f increase arc the
war with Russia, the mutiny in India, and, generally, the great increase
in the government expenditure. The wars and the mutiny took away
and partly destroyed a considerable number of men in the prime o f life,
without diminishing the number o f females, and all government expendi
ture is unproductive o f subsistence and o f life. Emigrants employ them
selves collecting gold, growing wool and corn, and felling timber. They
and those who supply their wants are productively employed. Soldiers
and sailors are employed, and all who administer to them and their wants
are employed only in consuming and destroying. The Chancellor of
the Exchequer has stated that, in the last eight years, the government has
absorbed and has expended, unproductively, the probable increase of the
national capital in the period.
The vast increase of expenditure in
works of destruction is the cause both o f the rate o f retardation ascribed
by the Registrar-General to emigration, and o f the discrepancy between
the increase of males and females.
PRESENT
POPULATION
OF
IRELAND.
The official abstract o f the census o f Ireland for 1861 shows a decrease
of population in that country equal to 12.02 per cent, within ten years.
The following are the statistics :
The total population enumerated on the 8th o f April, 1861, as obtained
from the enumerators’ abstracts, amounts to 5,764,543— being 2,804,961
males and 2,959,582 females, or 787,842 less than that returned for the
31st of March, 1861— being a decrease of 12.02 per cent, during the last
ten years. These numbers do not include the men o f the army and
navy serving in Ireland on the night o f the 7th o f April, but include the
wives and families o f such persons, and also soldiers on furlough. The
present decrease is most apparent in the city of Kilkenny and town of
Galway, and counties o f Tipperary, Clare, Meath, Kilkenny, King’s,
"Wexford, Waterford and Cork. The only localities in which an increase
has taken place, are Dublin county and the towns o f Carrickfergus and
Belfast, in which latter locality it amounts to 18,941, or 18.88 per cent,
on the returns o f 1851.
CAUSES
OF
THE
IRISH
DECREASE — RELIGIONS.
The commissioners attribute the decrease chiefly to emigration and
the effects o f the famine which extended over the first years o f the de
cade included in the present census. The Irish census, differing in this
respect from the English, included an inquiry into the “ religious profes
[January,
Statistics o f Population.
54
sion ” of the population, and on this point the report states that, “ in only
fifteen instances have complaints or objections to the enumerators’ re
turns been made to the commissioners.” The following is a summary of
this portion of the report: On the night of the 7th of April, 1861, those
of the Roman Catholic Church amounted to 4,490,483; those o f the
Established Church to 678,661; and Protestant Dissenters to 586,563 ;
among whom those o f the Presbyterian church numbered 528,992;
Methodists, 44,532 ; Independents, 5,062 ; Baptists, 4,165, and the Society
of Friends, 3,812. The number o f Jews was 322. Those classed under
the head of “ all other persuasions,” amounting to 8,414, were chiefly
persons denominating themselves “ Protestant Dissenters,” (unspecified,)
“ Reformed Presbyterians,” “ Separatists,” “ Christian Brethren,” “ Chris
tians,” “ Covenanters,” “ Unitarians,” “ Seceders,” also members of the
Moravian church, and such travellers, temporary lodgers and mendicants,
(presumed to be Christians,) as to whom the enumerators, or the persons
who filled the householders’ schedules, were unable to obtain the neces
sary information.
PAUPERS.
The commissioners report, also, that there were 250,000 paupers in
the Irish workhouse, and 47,019 persons in the hospital, of whom 4,545
were not workhouse inmates at the time o f taking the census in 1851,
while there were but 50,570 persons in the Irish workhouses the day
before the recent census was taken.
C I T I E S
ON
THE
M I S S O U R I
R I V E R .
It appears almost certain that those cities in the W est which are situ
ated on the western banks o f the great rivers running south will always
be larger and more important, as well as more numerous, than the cities
on the eastern banks of the same streams. This has been the case so far,
and the influences which have produced this result are likely both to re
main and to increase in power. In this view it is plain that the western
bank o f the Missouri River must forever remain the base line o f commer
cial operations for the vast territory which extends between that river and
the Pacific coast. A t present the chief places contending for pre-emi
nence on this river are St. Joseph and Sioux City on the east side, and
Leavenworth and' Omaha City on the west side. Each has its own pecu
liar claims, each is finely situated, and all will grow into places of influ
ence and wealth. But, for the reason or fact above stated, it is probable
that the latter towns will bear off the palm in concentrating trade. St.
Joseph, we think, has, so far, had the largest population, and, by reason
of its rail-road connections, is the present western entrepot for eastern
goods. Still it would seem that Leavenworth is to be the Cincinnati o f
the Missouri valley. It is not situated in a more fertile or healthful dis
trict than its rivals. It is not as finely laid out as Omaha, which place
has also some other advantages. But Leavenworth may already be said
to be in the lead, and when it has completed its rail-road connections it
will doubtless maintain and increase its lead.
1862.]
55
The Arctic Expedition o f 1860.
T H E A R C T I C E X P E D I T I O N OF 1 8 6 0 .
O F F IC IA L A C C O U N T
O F TH E
R E C E N T V O Y A G E O F TIIE
U N ITE D S T A T E S , B Y
DR. H AYES.
Exploring Schooner United States, Harbor o f Halifax, Oct. 1, 1861.
the pleasure to send you the following account o f the proceed
ings o f the expedition to the Arctic seas, under my command, subsequent
to the 14th of August, 1860. My letter from Upper Navik to the con
tributors o f the expedition, bearing the above date, will have instructed
you of my movements up to that time.
W e sailed from Upper Navik on the 16th August, 1860; but calms
detained us on our way to Tessuissak, and we did not reach the latter
place until the 21st. Having there increased the number o f our dogs by
the addition o f the interpreter’ s team, making a complement of twentyfive animals, and having further increased my crew by the addition of two
Danes and one Esquimaux hunter, we put to sea again on the 22d, and
stood northward, with a fair wind. On the morning o f the 23d we en
tered Melville Bay. On the following day, at three o’ clock, P. M., we
passed the Sabine Islands, thence we made a direct course for Cape York,
which was reached at five o’clock, P. M., o f the 25th.
Our passage through Melville Bay was remarkable. No field ice was
seen until we reached within a few miles o f Cape York, when we en
countered a narrow stream, which, under a full press o f sail, was bored
without difficulty. W e were only fifty-five hours in effecting the passage
o f the bay.
Standing close in under Cape York, I kept a careful watch from aloft
for Esquimaux, and soon had the gratification to discover a group of
them moving down toward the beach. The schooner being hove to, I
went ashore, and was met by H a n s , Dr. K a n e ’ s runaway boy, and other
natives. I I ans quickly recognised Mr. S o n n tag and myself, and having
expressed a wish to go with us, I took him, together with his wife and
child, his hunting equipments and two dogs, on board, and again stood
northward.
A t seven o’clock o f the morning o f the 26th we were brought up by
a heavy ice pack, twenty miles south o f S m it h ’ s Strait. There being a
high sea setting directly upon the ice, and the air being thick with falling
snow, we lost no time in plying to windward, and, having obtained a
good offing, hove to, to await better weather.
The wind soon fell to calm ; the clouds broke during the night, and
on the morning o f the 27th we rounded the ice, in shore, and, under a
light northeast wind, stood out toward the centre of the strait, -which we
entered at nine o’clock, P. M. Here we met a heavy pack, through which
no practical lead could be distinguished. Our examination of its mar
gin, with the view of finding an opening, was cut short by a heavy gale,
which broke suddenly upon us from the northeast. The bergs being
very thick about us, we could not heave to, and we ran great risk o f
losing every exposed sail. The gale lasted, with very little abatement in
I have
56
The Arctic Expedition o f 1860.
its volume, during the 28th and 29th. On the morning o f the 30th,
having carried away the foresail, we were glad to reach a small cove,
twelve miles south o f Capo Alexander, and there dropped anchor in four
fathoms water. Here I obtained an excellent view from an elevation o f
1,200 feet. The pack appeared to be impenetrable, and very little water
was to be seen along the west shore. I determined, however, to attempt
the passage.
I had scarcely returned from my journey to the mountain when the
gale again set in from the same quarter, and with a violence which I
have scarcely seen equalled. On the morning of the 31st we were driven
from our moorings, and, in the effort to save our anchors, we were forced
upon a group of icebergs which had drifted in with the current, and car
ried away our jibboom. The wind moderated soon afterward, and we
once more entered the strait; but the gale setting in again, the fore gaff
was broken in wearing, and being now obliged to heave to, we were a
third time driven out of the strait, to seek shelter behind Cape Alexan
der.
Damages having beenre paired, we again entered the strait on the even
ing o f September 1. Discovering no lead through the ice to the west
ward, we bore for Littleton Island, with the hope o f finding, near the
more solid iee higher up the strait, a more practicable opening. The
gale still continuing to blow with great force, and being under reduced
canvass, we made but little headway.
Littleton Island was reached September 2d. Being unable to pene
trate the ice to the westward, I determined to work up the coast to Cape
Hatherton, with the hope of there finding the iee more open. The un
dertaking was necessarily attended with considerable risk to the vessel,
on account o f the heavy fields o f iee lying off Littleton Island. The
schooner frequently came in collision with ice fields from fifteen to
twenty feet in thickness. The quarter-inch iron plate on the cutwater
was torn off, and the false stern was carried away. Soon afterward we
encountered a severe “ nip,” and before the rudder could be shipped, the
two lower pintels were broken off.
In this crippled condition it was impossible to make further headway,
and, after extricating ourselves from the ice, we ran down into Ilartstein
Bay and anchored. During the 3d, 4th and 5th of September the wind
blew with great force from the same quarter as before. On the 4th I
reached, with much difficulty, Littleton Island in a whale boat, and ob
tained a view to the westward from an elevation of some four hundred
feet. The ice was very heavy to the west and southwest— a thick im
penetrable pack— but to the northward, along the land, it was loose, and
the prospect o f working westward from Cape Hatherton was encouraging.
On the 6th the wind fell to a calm. The boats were got out, and we
pulled up to Littleton Island ; but two days had completely changed the
position of the ice. Between Littleton Island and Cape Hatherton there
was no open water, nor was there any visible from the top of that island
to the northwest, west or southwest. Unable to advance, and fearful of
being frozen in, we again extricated the vessel from the ice and ran back
into Hartstein Bay.
Everything about us now began to wear a wintry aspect. The tem
perature had fallen to eighteen degrees below freezing. Thick snow had
1862.]
The Arctic Expedition o f 1860.
57
been falling at intervals since August 25. Our decks were covered with
ice, the sails and rigging were so stiff with it that they could barely be
worked, the schooner’s sides were lined with a thick crust, and large
masses of ice had accumulated on the cutwater and forward rigging.
The navigable season was clearly drawing to a close.
Northeast gales detained us during the 7th and 8th, and the tempe
rature continuing to fall, I deemed it imprudent again to enter the ice,
and accordingly we went into winter quarters on the 9th, in a bight at
the head o f Hartstein Bay. The schooner was moored by four haw
sers, forty yards from shore, in seven fathoms water. The sails were un
bent and the topmasts housed, and, after giving our crew a holiday, our
winter operations were commenced. The stores were deposited in a
house built for the purpose on shore. The hold was converted into a
comfortable room for tli£ men, and the upper deck was housed over with
boards. Owing to bad weather, three weeks elapsed before these ar
rangements were completed.
Our winter harbor, which I named Port Foulke, in honor of W ill ia m
P a r k e r F o u l k e , Esq., of Philadelphia, was well sheltered except to the
southwest. Observations made by Mr. S o n n t a g , at the observatory,
erected on shore near the vessel, gave its position, latitude 78° 17' 41"
N., longitude 72° 30' 57" W ., twenty miles further south than Dr.
K a n e ’ s winter quarters, and distant from it, by the coast, ninety miles.
I need hardly say that I deeply regret that we could not attain a
higher latitude with the vessel; particularly do I regret that we could not
reach the west coast. That coast was wholly unapproachable with a
sailing vessel.
The weather continued boisterous throughout the autumn, and, in
deed, during the greater part o f the winter. In consequence of the re
peated gales the water off the harbor was not frozen over until March, so
that sledge travelling to the northward was impracticable during the
month of October, at which time I had expected to carry out provision
depots for use in the spring. Mr. S onn tag made an attempt to reach
Rensselaer Harbor in November, and although the darkness o f the win
ter had then set in, he was baffled by the open water.
W hile the daylight lasted we were profitably employed. A survey of
the harbor and adjacent coasts was made by the joint labors of Messrs.
S o n n ta g , M c C o r m ic k , D odge and R a d c l if f . In September Mr. S onn
t a g put up in the observatory the fine pendulum apparatus, constructed
expressly for the expedition by the Messrs. B ond , of Boston, and a full
set of satisfactory experiments were obtained. The magnetic instruments
were subsequently placed in the same building, and observations were there
made from time to time. A meteorologic observatory was erected on
shore, and observations were there recorded three times daily, with several
instruments. A bi-hourly record was kept near the vessel, with a single
instrument. I may mention that all o f the instruments have been well
compared. A survey o f J ohn ’ s glacier was made by Mr. S on n tag and
myself in October. This glacier, which was discovered and named by
Dr. K a n e , approaches the sea through a deep valley, and its face is two
miles from the sea. The angles, not yet reduced, obtained in October,
were repeated by myself last June, and they show a considerable move
ment of the glacier. The survey o f this glacier was further continuedby
me late in October, with a party of five persons. I ascended to the mer
58
The Arctic Expedition o f 1860.
[January,
de place, and travelled eastward fifty miles. Our greatest elevation was
4,500 feet, the temperature at which elevation was 15 degrees lower than
at the level of the sea.
The winter was passed in health and comfort. W e were fortunate in
capturing upwards of 200 reindeer, which kept both ourselves and the
dogs constantly supplied with fresh food.
The winter brought, however, some serious misfortunes. A disease
which had been prevailing in North Greenland during the last few years
broke out among the dogs, and o f the fine pack which I had taken from
the Danish settlements, only eleven animals remained alive on the 20th of
December. Y ou are well aware that my plan o f explorations was
wholly based upon dogs as a means o f transport across the ice, and, situ
ated as I was, on the east side o f the strait, and ninety miles further
south than I had anticipated, I became seriously apprehensive for the
success of the approaching effort.
My party being necessarily small, I could not send into the field more
than a boat’ s crew of able-bodied men, and these I had always considered
as merely auxiliary to the dogs, and, without the dogs, altogether unavail
able for the services to be performed.
My anxiety was fully shared by Mr. S o n n ta g , the astronomer o f the
expedition, and my able second in command. He early volunteered to go
south to endeavor to open communication with the Esquimaux o f North
umberland Island, with the hope o f obtaining dogs. His former experi
ence when with Dr. K an e had familiarized him with all the phases of Arctic
travel, and no one could have been better fitted for the task. Besides the
usefulness o f the proposed journeys, it was peculiarly in harmony Avith his
active and enterprising spirit. His offer was accepted, and he left the
vessel on the 2 2d o f December, with a sledge and nine dogs, accompanied
by the Esquimaux H a n s , intending to make the journey and return
during the moonlight period then setting in. It is my sad duty to in
form you that he died while absent.
It appears, from H a n s ’ report, that the immediate cause of Mr. S onn
t a g ’ s death was cold.
H a n s , upon his return, stated that they travelled the
first day to Sutherland Island, where they camped in a snow hut, and
were there detained two days. Their next camp was at Sorfalik, a de
serted Esquimaux station on the coast, fifteen miles below Cape Alexan
der, where they built another snow hut. They set off next day directly
for Northumberland Island. The ice, although covered with light snow,
appeared to be sufficiently strong. Mr. S o n n ta g walked in advance of the
sledge, and, when about five miles from the land, he came upon thin ice,
and broke through. H an s assisted him out of the water, and they im
mediately put back for Sorfalik. Before that place was reached Mr.
S on n tag was insensible, and he died soon afterward. His remains were
subsequently brought to the vessel, and were interred near the observatory.
H ans succeeded in reaching the Esquimaux; but by over-driving and
injudicious management, five o f the dogs were killed, and the remaining
four were permanently injured. I had now only six animals. The Es
quimaux came to the vessel some weeks later, and from them I obtained
by purchase a sufficient number to make two teams o f seven each.
It was not until late in March that the ice formed around Cape Ohlsen,
and the land being too mountainous for sledge travelling, 1 was not,
until that time, able to set out northward. A t that period I made a
1862 .]
The Arctic Expedition o f 1860 .
59
preliminary journey to Fog Harbor, and there established a provision de
pot. I availed myself o f this opportunity to visit Rensselaer Harbor, Dr.
K a n e ’ s winter quarters.
No vestige o f the A d v a n c e was discovered.
She has probably drifted out to sea with the ice. During this journey
the coldest temperatures o f the cruise were recorded. On one day the
thermometer sank to 66^- degrees, and on another to 68 degrees be
low zero. W e camped at night on this, as well as on all subsequent
journeys, in the snow hut of the Esquimaux.
Active preparations had been making since January for the spring
campaign, and we were ready for the final start on the 4th of April.
The chief equipment consisted o f a metallic life-boat, twenty feet in
length, mounted upon runners, provisions for a boat’s crew of six persons
for five months, provisions for seven persons and fourteen dogs for
six weeks, together with a careful allowance o f fuel for the abovenamed period. W e started from the vessel on the above-mentioned
date, with our entire equipment, the boat and its cargo being drawn by
the whole available ship’s company and fourteen dogs. Mr. R a d c l i f f ,
with two men, were left in charge o f the vessel.
Upon reaching Fog Harbor we made nearly a due north course, in
tending to reach the west coast and travel thence upon the land ice.
W e soon encountered hummocked ice o f extraordinary thickness, through
which it was often necessary to break a passage with axes and shovels. It
finally became evident, from the slowness of our progress, that the entire
summer would be consumed in reaching the west land, even if the boat
could be transported to it at all. Being well assured that nothing could
be accomplished with the boat expedition, I sent the main party back
on the 28th o f April, and continued northward with three companions
and two sledges.
The ice grew worse as we advanced, and we were fourteen days in
reaching the west coast, a distance, in a direct line, o f only forty miles.
From this fact you can form some estimate of the character o f the ice
over which we travelled. The severity o f the labor broke down the dogs
and I was compelled to feed to them a double ration, thus consuming rap
idly the provisions, and proportionally shortening my northward journey.
Reaching the west coast at Cape Haves, we travelled along the land
through Kennedy ChanneFuntil the 18th o f May, when, our jirovisions
being exhausted, we were compelled to turn our faces southward. The
latitude attained upon that day was 81 degrees 35 minutes, a degree o f
northing which I believe not to have been exceeded or equalled by any ex
plorer except Sir E ihyap.d P a r r y . The land was taken possession o f
in the name o f the United States, with the usual forms, and the flag
which was used upon the occasion has covered the most northern known
land upon the globe.
Although thus early in the season the ice in Kennedy Channel was
everywhere much decayed and unsafe, and in some places was entirely
gone. In one extensive pool a flock o f water-fowl was discovered. I
entertain no doubt that the ice o f Kennedy Channel was broken up and
dissolved at a very early period o f the summer. It was in this channel
that Dr. K an e discovered an open sea, at a period o f six weeks later, in
the summer of 1854. Before reaching the vessel I lost all but seven o f
the remaining dogs, and the ice having broken up around Cape Ohlsen,
further exploration to the northward was impossible during the present
season.
60
The Arctic Expedition o f 1860.
[January,
The six weeks subsequent to my return to Port Foulkc were occupied
in preparing tlie vessel for sea, in completing some unfinished surveys, in
making magnetic and other observations, in collecting specimens of nat
ural history, in photographing the scenery and objects o f interest in the
vicinity. The schooner had been much damaged by the ice encounters
of the previous summer, and it was found impossible to restore her origi
nal strength. Being without a carpenter, a large share o f the labor o f
repairs fell upon Mr. M c C o r m ick , the sailing-master of the expedition, o f
whose ready ingenuity and practical skill I cannot too warmly express
my acknowledgments. The ice broke up around the vessel on the 10th
o f July, and we put to sea on the 14th.
After much difficulty and two trials we reached the west coast, twelve
miles south o f Cape Isabella, and, being unable to pass the cape, we drop
ped anchor, and on the 28th I made a journey to the north side o f the
cape in a whale-boat, and from an elevation o f six hundred feet obtained
a view to the northward. In that direction, fifteen miles above Cape Isa
bella, the ice was solid and unbroken as far as the eye could reach.
To the eastward the pack ice was heavy and impenetrable. To pene
trate the strait under these circumstances, with the view o f reaching a
practicable point for future sledge operations with my reduced force, (for
I had now only five dogs,) was clearly impracticable, and believing that I
was not justified in incurring the heavy expense o f another year’ s absence
without a prospect o f corresponding results, I reluctantly abandoned the
field and turned southward.
Taking Whale Sound on the way, I completed the survey of that re
markable inlet, and obtained there an excellent set of magnetic determi
nations and some photographs of the natives, the glaciers and other ob
jects o f interest.
After boring through the ice o f Melville Bay for 150 miles, we reached
the southern water, and entered the harbor of Upper Navik on the 14th
o f August. There we remained ten days, engaged during that time in
various scientific explorations. On the 1st of September we reached
Corham, or Lievely, and were there similarly occupied. W e were ready
for sea again on the 6th, but a succession of southwesterly gales de
tained us until the 17th, when we again put to sea, and, having a fair
wind, we were, on the 22d, 200 miles to the southward of Capo Farewell.
From that time until the 9tli o f October we encountered constant
southerly weather, with frequent gales. W hen off Halifax we sustained
serious damage, and were obliged to put into that port for repairs. W e
are now again ready for sea, and expect to leave this port to-morrow.
I have to regret that we could not accomplish a greater northing, but
situated as we were, with Smith’s Strait to cross, and with a small force
at command, I can but regard the summer exploration as fortunate and
successful. The field of research, although more limited than I had an
ticipated, was, however, new, and my observations in different depart
ments o f physical and natural science will, I feel assui'ed, meet the ap
probation o f the patrons o f the expedition.
I am well satisfied that they will be found fully to justify the labor and
expense which they have cost. The unfortunate accident which occa
sioned the untimely death of Mr. S on n tag caused a serious loss to the
expedition. The system o f observations and experiments which we had
planned in concert had already accomplished important additions to
1862.]
The Arctic Expedition o f 1860.
61
Arctic science, when death deprived mo of his invaluable assistance;
and with the duties incident to Arctic exploration in the field pressing
constantly upon me, I wa% not always able to execute the plans which
we had devised. My officers, however, on all occasions contributed their
best assistance, and I was by them relieved o f many onerous duties. I am
especially indebted to Mr. R a d c l i f f , assistant astronomer, for his zealous
assistance in the work at the observatory, and for assistance in taking
photographic view s; and to Messrs.' K x o r r and S t a r r I owe obliga
tions for valuable aid in collecting specimens of natural history and other
scientific duty.
I will mention, in conclusion, that I am still of opinion that Smith’s
Strait can be navigated with steam. Under sails alone I am satisfied that
it cannot. It is my hope to bo able to renew the attempt with a small
steamer. W ith this view I have left some stores at Port Foulke and at
Upper Navik.
W ith the hope that this will find you in the enjoyment o f health and
happiness, I remain, very sincerely, your friend andeerv
AYES.
To H e n r y G r in n e l l and others, New-York, Committee oil behalf of
the American Geographical and Statistical j^ c ie fjv * .
\ :
•
•
•
From Falmouth to Gibraltar the.flj^tarKje is less than 1,000 miles;
from Gibraltar to Malta the distance *i8 ‘‘JjS8 miles; from Malta to Alex
andria it is 815 miles; from Suez to Aden, 1,310 miles; from Aden to
Bombay, 1,664 miles ; from Bombay to Point de Galle, 960 miles ; from
Point de Galle to Madras, 540 miles; from Madras to Calcutta, 780
miles; from Calcutta to Penang, 1,213 miles; from Penang to Singapore,
381 miles; from Singapore to Hong Ivong, 1,437 miles; from Sinagpore,
to Batavia, 520 miles; from Batavia to Swan River, 1,500 miles; from
Swan River to King George’s Sound, 500 miles; and from King George’s
Sound to Adelaide, 998 miles. From Adelaide to Melbourne and Syd
ney there will shortly be a telegraphic communication overland. From
Trinity Bay, in Newfoundland, to Bermuda, the distance is 1,500 miles;
from Bermuda to Inagua the distance is about 1,000 miles ; from Inagua
to Jamaica it is 300 miles; from Jamaica to Antigua, 800 miles; from
Antigua to Demarara, via Trinidad, 800 m iles; from Antigua to St.
Thomas, 227 miles; from Jamaica to Greytown, via Navy Bay, 1,000
miles; and from Jamaica to Belize, 700 miles. It will be thus seen that
all our settlements, dependencies and colonies in the Peninsula, Mediter
ranean, Arabia, India, China, Australia, the W est Indies and Central
America, could be joined to England by shorter submarine cables than
that which at present connect Ireland with Newfoundland, and without
their touching any powerful foreign State. The aggregate length o f these
cables would be about 21,000 miles, andreckoning 20 per cent, for slack,
the whole length would not measure more than 24,000 miles. These ca
bles would place England in almost instantaneous communication with
upwards of forty colonies, settlements and dependencies, situated 20,000
miles apart, in the eastern and western hemispheres.— English Paper.
62
The Cotton Question.
[January,
THE COTTON Q U E S T I O N .
I. F l a x C otton . I I. J a m a ic a C otton . I I I . C e n t r al A m erica . I Y . I n d ia n C otton . Y .
B r ead y s . Cotton . V I . F l a x C otton i n I o w a . Y I I . F l a x C otton a n d F l a x "Wool .
V I I I . P e re n n ial C otton . I X . P ortuguese C otton .
FLAX
COTTON.
A m e e t i n g o f the citizens of Lockport, N. Y., has been held to organ
ize a company for the manufacture of flax cotton. It was attended by
Ex-Governor H u n t and lion . S. 13. K u g g l e s , the latter of whom, says
the Lockport Journal, “ made some interesting statements o f the merits
of the invention, the simplicity and certainty o f the scientific principle
on which it is based, and its great value at the present crisis, in cheaply
extracting fronr flax a fibre capable o f being substituted for cotton, at
least to a considerably extent’. ' The company who controlled this most
important invention had the .whole/United: States'for'their field o f action,
but, after careful inquiry, had selected Lockport" fo r tlseir first and prin
cipal establishment, as enjoying convenient access at once to the produc
tive flax regions o f the interior," and to the etehtres of manufacturing in
dustry on the seaboard; possessing, too, in it’s own great weight, hydrau
lic power, the means o f manufacturing the fiber to any desired amount.
“ He dwelt earnestly on the importance o f developing this new
branch o f industry, not only in increasing the trade and revenue of our
canals, and opening new sources o f agricultural wealth, but its far higher
influence in securing to the Northern States and to Europe comparative
independence from ‘ cotton domination,’ with which the world has been
threatened.
“ Among the statistical views which he presented was the fact that the
price of the flax fiber thus produced and ready for use, would fall far
short of the present price o f cotton, probably not exceeding eight, and
certainly within ten cents per pound.”
No one o f the speakers stated the process by which the fiber is to be
prepared, nor do we learn whether it is new, or one of the half-dozen
patents that have been for a year or more before the public. The mat
ter is one o f considerable moment to the people o f this city, because
whatever the manufacture, the raw material must he drawn from the
West, and this should he the point in which it is prepared for the spin
ners. As our readers know, we have great faith in the ultimate success
o f flax as a cheap rival of King Cotton. Hence we are anxious that
Chicago should be among the first to avail itself o f the inducements to
capital and enterprise wliich the success of experiments already made
clearly hold out. The subject is worthy o f an inquiry, and any gentle
man o f this city who has an intelligent friend in Lockport would do well
to get the information which the Journal fails to supply.
13y flax cotton is meant the fiber of flax reduced in length, cleansed,
carded, bleached, and nicely prepared to resemble in appearance cotton
63
The Cotton Question.
that has been cleansed and carded, and adapted for mixture with cotton
or wool in the various fabrics o f daily wear and use.
To accomplish this, requires improvements in the mode o f breaking
the straw and separating the fiber from the wood, and o f the carding,
drawing, spinning frames, which are in common use, as well as great
nicety in bleaching. All these are to be made by ingenious machinists
and manufacturers, and require the expenditure o f time and money and
careful experiments.
The American Flax Cotton Company, organized at Boston in 1859,
under a special charter from the State o f Massachusetts, adopted the
patents o f S t e ph en R a n d a l l , o f Rhode Island, J o n a t h a n K n o w l e s and
J. M. A l le n . Experimental mills were established at Watertown and
at Roxbury, and thousands o f dollars expended in improving the ma
chinery and perfecting their processes.
JAMAICA
COTTON.
The attention o f the recent meeting at Newcastle on the subject of
the Jamaica Cotton Company was called to the following letters from
Lord B r o u g h a m and T h o m a s C l e g g , E sq .:
B r o u g h a m , Penrith, Sept. 5, 1861.
Dear Mr. B o u r n e ,— I trust you will continue successful in our great
cotton undertaking; no friend of the colored race in the W est Indies
can avoid feeling much anxiety for the supply by their free labor; and
this, during the present unhappy state of affairs in America, becomes
peculiarly important for our manufacturers.
Believe me, truly yours,
H . B rougham.
Mr. T h o m as C l e g g , o f Manchester, writes thus in relation to the
fifteen samples o f cotton:
1 Mount-street, Manchester, Sept., 1861.
S t e p h e n B o u r n e , E sq.: Dear Sir,— I have examined, as carefully as
my time would allow, the fifteen samples o f cotton which you have sent
to me, and which you state to have been grown in Jamaica. Eight o f
them I consider to be worth from Is. to Is. 6d. per lb., and seven of
them 8-j-d. to 9d. per lb. Having before frequently examined samples
which you and others have sent me o f cotton grown in Jamaica, and it
being uniformly o f good quality, and generally very superior, I have no
hesitation in certifying that, in my opinion, Jamaica is admirably adapted
for growing that particular kind o f cotton o f which we stand so much in
need, and which at present is chiefly got from America. Being anxious
to get an abundance o f cotton from new countries, I assure you I wish
your company every success, which you, as an individual, so much de
serve.
Yours, very truly,
(Signed,)
T h o m as C l e g g .
CENTRAL
AMERICA
AS
A
COTTON
FIELD.
Central America contains a greater area o f cotton-producing land than
all the “ seceded” States together, and the quality o f the cotton is as
64
[January,
The Colton Question.
good as the best that is produced in any country. In the Southern
States the cotton plant, an annual, is killed every year by the frosts,
whereas in Central America it is perennial. The best variety, the anguilla, commercially known as the Sea Island, is a native o f Honduras,
and was introduced into South Carolina shortly after the Revolution.
The cotton o f Central America is equal in quality to that grown in
Jamaica, South Carolina or Florida, and superior to the best productions
of India or Egypt. The yield per acre is more than double that o f the
Southern States, there being two crops a year. The soil is almost in
exhaustible, the climate delightful and labor cheap.
On the Pacific
coast there are extensive plateaux, which are only waiting the attention
of the careful and thrifty planter; and the forest trees of that portion
which would need to be cleared are such as always find a ready market
at remunerative prices in the Northern States and Western Europe,
such as mahogany, cedar and Brazil wood. The climate o f Central
America, though warm, is not oppressive; it is not so debilitating as
to prevent white men from engaging in active out-door employment. It
is exceedingly healthy. Free labor is abundant and cheap. There are
no slaves, and the services o f the natives can be procured at the average
rate of twenty-five cents (Is. £d.) per head per day.
This is less
than one-lialf the cost of slave labor in the cotton districts of the South.—
London American.
SUPPLY
OF
INDIAN
COTTON
TO
ENGLAND.
The Bombay mail, which arrived last month, brings a resolution by the
Governor-General in Council on this subject. His Excellency, though
earnestly desirous to encourage the cultivation of products o f trade, and
especially o f cotton in India, laid down as a fundamental rule for the
guidance o f the executive, that every measure which places government
in the position o f a private capitalist or cultivator, must be injurious, and
that all attempts by authority to stimulate cultivation are out o f the
question. But consistently with the observance o f this rule, Lord C a n
n i n g is desirous to do all in his power to increase the growth o f cotton,
and especially to encourage the cultivation o f the finer sorts. W ith this
view, prizes will be given for the production of cotton in each o f the
three presidencies for the largest quantity, combined with the best quali
ty. Fiach prize will be in value about £1,000, and the prizes arc offered
for each of the two next seasons.
BREAD
VS.
COTTON.
The sovereignty o f cotton certainly appears to be disputed by corn at
this moment in a remarkably direct competition. England and France,
as we have been told for months, may be sorely tempted to intervene in
our affairs by their urgent want o f cotton. It happens, however, that
while wo have been fighting, and harvesting the while a magnificent crop
o f breadstuffs, England and France have suddenly found an enormous
deficiency of grain staring them in the face. O f the two, cotton can
probably be spared more easily than bread. A t all events, it now hap
pens that whenever either of these powers is tempted to consider whether
the law o f nations and peace might not be advantageously bartered for
1862.]
The Cotton Question.
65
cotton, it has also to consider whether it wishes to exchange a dearth o f
cotton alone for a dearth of both cotton and bread.
For this year then, at any rate, it seems to us that the question of
peace is settled, even if no higher considerations are to enter into Euro
pean counsels than those which we name. W e do not believe the Euro
pean powers to be in a position to play the desperate game ascribed to
them, even if they are capable of it, which we are far from willing to
suppose. Providence has not only smiled upon us so far as to give us
the means of domestic prosperity and comfort while carrying on this
struggle, but has by the same agency insured us, to a great degree, from
external interference from the only quarter whence it was to be expected.
It is for us now to see to it that this opportunity is vigorously improved,
and that as the pressure which now constrains our powerful friends abroad
is removed, so the temptation which may urge them to recognise the
South as an independent power is removed also.— Boston Daily Adver
tiser.
FLAX
COTTON
IN
IOWA.
An Iowa correspondent o f a New-York paper writes : W e have had in
operation one of “ R a n d a l l ’ s Brakes” and a “ Duster,” both manufactured
in Rhode Island, for the purpose o f preparing flax straw for the manu
factory. The process is as follows:
The flax is mowed with an ordinary scythe or mowing machine before
it is thoroughly rip e; it is cured in every way the same as hay. It may
be threshed the same as any other grain, the tangling the straw not injur
ing the fiber. One ton o f straw yields from 500 to 1,000 pounds o f lint.
200 tons o f the unrotted straw have been engaged in the vicinity of this
place at $5 per ton, by the party who has the control of the machinery
here. This is intended merely as an introduction to the operation for
next season, when a large amount o f machinery will be located here for
the purpose of preparing the straw for market. Two o f the same brakes
are in operation at Mt. Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa, with the same
success as here.
I do not think we can entertain a doubt as to the success o f this move
ment. W ith Yankee ingenuity and Western perseverance both interested,
there can be no such thing as fail.
A Boston correspondent thus speaks o f the recent invention for “ flaxing out” King Cotton :
There are now in operation in this city experimental works for the
manufacture of flax fiber into a material called fibrilia or flax cotton.
This can be produced in any quantity at seven or eight cents per pound,
and the cloth made from it is better in every respect, and will take
and preserve colors better than cloth made from cotton. The raw mate
rial, flax, wild or cultivated, can be produced, and is produced, in Canada
and all the Northern States in vast quantities. Col. L a n d e r , in one o f his
recent reports, speaks o f coming to plains covered with immense quanti
ties of this plant growing wild.
Now, here is an article which even now can be had in quantities, so
that its material can be produced at from two to three cents per pound
less than cotton, which makes a better cloth, and which is destined to
VOL. XLVI.----NO. I.
5
66
[January,
The Cotton Question.
supersede cotton. Slowly but surely the parties owning the patents for
the process for manufacturing this article are working it into the atten
tion o f our people.
PERENNIAL
COTTON
IN
COLD
CLIMATES.
Capt. It. C. K e n d a l l , formerly o f the United States Coast Survey, is
making an earnest effort to interest merchants and agriculturists in the
Northern States in the practicability of introducing, for general culture
in this part o f the country, a species o f cotton-growing plant from Peru,
lie is confident that results o f great commercial importance may be an
ticipated. W hile engaged several years ago on the estate o f a gentleman
in Chili, Mr. K e n d a l l ’ s attention was directed to a fine specimen of the
Gossipium Arborium, or perennial cotton-tree— presenting to the eye “ a
perfect cone or pyramid o f pure, brilliant snow, elevated at its base per
haps seven feet from the ground, upon a shaft o f whitish bronze.” The
foliage had been shed, but the pods remained, having fully burst, covering
the entire structure with a mass o f spotless cotton. In a recent lecture
before the New-York Farmers’ Club, Mr. K en d a l l remarked as follow s:
“ The Gossipium Arborium, or Peruvian cotton tree, will yet answer
the almost universal call for a cotton capable o f being cultivated in
northern latitudes. It is perennial, can be grown wherever Indian corn
can be matured, and promises to yield larger crops than the present her
baceous cotton of the South, while its requisite culture and mode o f ma
nipulation are such as can readily be performed here. I have already
proved, by personal experiment, that it can be grown in the northern part
o f Maryland, and shall most earnestly urge the prosecution o f more ex
tended experiments, fully assured that its successful introduction will tend
to prevent any future recurrence o f difficulties such as now derange the
harmony o f the country.”
The plant is perfected in its sixth or seventh year, obtaining the size
o f a common peach-tree, and thrives best in a high latitude. Its product
can be prepared for market with great facility, as the seed is attached to
the stamen, (not distributed through the lint, as in the herbaceous cotton,)
and is readily shaken off, without ginning. Either seed or cuttings may
be used in propagating the plant, and we understand that Mr. K en d all
proposes to demonstrate that it is practicable to produce, in the free States,
an abundant supply o f good cotton. lie predicts that “ the period is not
very remote when hedges, most efficient as fences, shall yield annual
dividends o f cotton ; ornamental trees, blending the useful with the beau
tiful, shall repay tenfold their cost and culture ; when the rugged heights
o f the Hudson, the plains o f New-Jersey, the fertile valleys o f the Key
stone State, and the undulating prairies of the Great West, shall gleam
in the sunlight, white as the winter drift, with generous pods of demo
cratic cotton.” This is a glowing prospect, but if only part o f it shall be
realized, the consequences cannot easily be estimated.— New- York Journal
o f Commerce, October 11.
FLAX
COTTON
AND
FLAX
WOOL.
The manufacture of these articles is on the increase. There is a good
demand now for the latter, which is used to mix with wool in the manu-
1862.]
The Cotton Question.
61
facture o f certain styles of woollen goods. Unlike cotton, in cotton and
wool fabrics, the flax does not wear off, producing that white, worn ap
pearance noticeable in such goods after usage, but is said to strengthen
and make the fabrics that it is introduced into wear better. Messrs.
H al l & F a r r a r , manufacturers o f the flax cotton and wool, have their fac
tory at Jamaica Plain in full blast, and are making about a ton a day, for
which they have a steady and increasing demand. Those interested can see
specimens o f the material and cloth in which it is used at 101 State-street.
PORTUGUESE
COTTON.
The following remarks on the subject of the ^cultivation o f cotton in
Portugal are given in the Annales du Commerce E xterieur:
“ It has been proved by repeated experiments that the cultivation of
this important article would succeed, not only in the Portuguese settlement
on the coast o f Africa, but on certain parts o f the Peninsula, particularly
in the Algarves and Alemtigo. The maritime part o f the former pro
vince, the lands o f Almargem and Trofal in the cantons o f Louie and
Albufeira, and those o f Ludo, in the canton o f Faro, are mentioned as
the best suited to the cotton plant. Some cotton grown in the last-named
place figured in the Universal Exhibition of 1 8 5 1 . The land in the A l
garves may be purchased at a very moderate price, in consequence of the
new law in Portugal, which allows in certain cases the sale o f majorats,
and the cultivation of cotton there would tend to retain in the country a
great part o f the laborers who now annually emigrate into Spain in search
o f employment.”
BERAR
COTTON.
A correspondent o f the Englishman, in a history o f the Berar cotton
trade, describes Narainraopettah, a large and populous town, ninety miles
south o f Hyderabad, as the great mart, the Dacca o f the province.
There muslins for the Moslem harems are turned out, of exceeding fine
ness and beauty. The cotton o f which these fabrics are made is longer
in staple and finer than the best Sea Island. It is indigenous, but culti
vated and picked with great care, in a rich soil at the confluence o f the
Bheema and Kistna rivers. This bears out the assertion of Mr. M a c k a v ,
who was sent by Manchester to inspect the cotton districts o f India, that
with careful attention, such as is given in America, the indigenous cotton,
o f India will equal the best New-Orleans.
COTTON
FROM
AFRICA.
M. Du C h a il l u , the celebrated traveller, read a paper at one o f the
sectional meetings o f the British Association, on the people o f Western
Equatorial Africa, which gave rise to a discussion respecting the qualifi
cations of Africa as a cotton-producing country. M. Du C h a il l u said
that cotton grew wild in the districts o f which he had spoken, but he
thought it would be difficult to obtain a supply in consequence o f the
absence of manual labor. The females, he remarked, were compelled to
perform the work, and they did as little as possible.
Journal o f Nautical Intelligence.
68
JOURNAL
OF
NAUTICAL
[January,
INTELLIGENCE.
L Science a n d tiie M e rc an tile M a r in e . II. S u it -B u ild ing on tiie M eesey . III. Steam sh ips
on the C l y d e .
IV B ritish M ercan tile Steam F leet . V. T r an sa tl a n t ic Steam ers .
VI. R eco very of S u n k en V essels . VII. T he L ate G a le s . VIII. A n O ld S h ip -M a st e r .
IX. T he E n glish M e rcan tile M a r in e F u n d .
SCIENCE
AND
TIIE
MERCANTILE
MARINE.
A t the late meeting o f the British Association in Manchester, Dr.
C o l l in g w o o d , of Liverpool, read a paper before Section D., “ On a
Scheme to induce the Mercantile Marine to assist in the advancement o f
Science, hy the Intelligent Collection o f Objects o f Natural History
from all parts o f the Globe.” The” object o f this scheme was tw ofold :
first, to raise the social and educational status of the captains and others
engaged in the merchant service; and, second, to render available the
vast opportunities they enjoy of advancing science, by intelligent obser
vation in various parts o f the globe. Considerable discussion was elicited
by the reading o f this communication, and an influential committee was
appointed to report upon the subject. As chairman o f that committee,
Dr. C o llin g w o o d has since made several important advances in the ma
turation o f the scheme, the chief of which are as follow s: It being con
sidered of the last importance that the sanction and co-operation of
ship-owners should be obtained, a meeting was convened recently, in
the Mayor’s Parlor, Town Hall, Liverpool, at which some o f the most
influential ship-owners o f that port were present, as well as the chairman
and secretary o f the Mercantile-Marine Service Association; Mr. T. M.
M a c k a y , of the firm o f J am es B a in e s & Co., occupying the chair. The
meeting having been informed of the nature and progress of the move
ment, and the subject having been discussed, the gentlemen present
promised their support, both nominal and pecuniary if necessary, and
the Mercantile-Marine Service Association were requested to draw up
some form o f certificate, as a reward for industry and diligence in any
of the departments in which it is anticipated that they can be service
ably employed; this certificate to be signed by persons of influence, to
be afterwards decided upon. Another important step, which it is hoped
will be the pioneer o f similar movements in other scientific societies, is
the follow ing: The Literary and Philosophical Society o f Liverpool is
a society now in the fiftieth year of its existence, and Dr. C o l l in g w o o d ,
its secretary, has procured the adoption o f a law, which was confirmed
at the last meeting, empowering the society to elect as associates “ mas
ters o f vessels, or others engaged in marine pursuits, who may have pe
culiar faculties for adding to the scientific interest o f the society’s pro
ceedings.” These associates are to be in every case recommended by
the council, and to be limited in number to twenty-five, having the same
privileges as corresponding members. Such a distinction, we have reason
to believe, will be highly prized by many intelligent captains, and will
stimulate others to make use of those opportunities which they so abun-
1862.]
Journal o f Nautical Intelligence.
69
dantly enjoy, in such a manner as cannot fail to benefit themselves and
advance science. W e trust to see other scientific societies adopting the
same course.
SHIP-BUILDING
ON
THE
MERSEY.
On the 14th o f August, Messrs. J o h n L a ib d & S ons launched
from their ship-building yard, at Birkenhead, a magnificent new steamer,
built for Messrs. J a r d in e , M ath eso n & Co., the well known China mer
chants. This steamer, (the R i v a ,) built with the utmost care, is intended
to carry light but valuable cargoes of tea, silk, &c. She is o f 2 ,0 0 0
tons burden and 400 horse-power, and it is confidently anticipated that
her speed will average from 16 to 17 knots per hour. The launch was
in every way a •success, and was witnessed by an immense concourse of
spectators, including 2 ,2 0 0 workmen employed by Messrs. L a ir d & S ons ,
whose yards are crowded with fine vessels and steamers, either in process
of building or repairing. Among them are the unhappy Galway steam
ers H ib e r n ia and C o l u m b ia , which are being nearly rebuilt.
Messrs. L a ir d have also just finished for the owners of the above-men
tioned R i v a , a two-funnelled steam tug, intended for service in the
Yang-tze-Kiang river. It is also rumored that an iron-plated war steamer
will be shortly commenced by Mr. L a ir d .
STEAMSHIP-BUILDING
ON
THE
CLYDE.
W e learn from the London Times that several rather important
launches of steamers have taken place from the banks o f the Clyde dur
ing the month o f August. Messrs. R . S t eele & S o n , o f Greenock,
have turned out a screw of 1,400 tons, named the S t . G e o r g e , 253 feet
long, 33 feet 6 inches broad, and 22 feet deep. The S t . G e o r g e , which
will be fitted with engines o f 175 horse-power, has been built by Messrs.
J. & A. A l l a n , o f the Montreal Ocean Steamship Company, and is in
tended to ply between Glasgow and Montreal. A similar screw, built for
the same owners by Messrs. B a r c l a y , C u rle & Co., o f Whiteinch, is as
nearly as possible, o f the same tonnage and dimensions, and has received
the name of the St. A n d r e w ; she is to be fitted with engines by the same
firm, o f 150 horse-power, and will also run between Glasgow and Mon
treal. Messrs. T od & M c G r e g o r , o f Partich, have launched a screw
named the V a sc o A n d a l u z , for a Spanish firm, who propose to run her
between Bilboa and Seville. The V asc o A n d alu z is 163 feet long, 25
feet breadth of beam, 12 feet deep, and 495 tons burden ; and she is
being fitted with a pair o f direct action surface condensing engines o f
60 horse-power. The N or t e , another steamer, built by the same firm,
left the Clyde for Spain in August.
I f New-York aims to maintain the supremacy o f the sea, she must be
alive to the important changes now making on the Clyde, in the matter
of iron ships.
THE
BRITISH
MERCANTILE
STEAM
FLEET.
The steam fleet of Great Britain has contributed incalculably to her
pre-eminence as a commercial nation. Indeed, few have any adequate
[January,
Journal o f Nautical Intelligence.
70
conception of the rapid growth o f this important interest, or the extent
already attained. It appears, from an official return, that at the com
mencement o f the present year 1,945 steamers were registered in the
United Kingdom, o f a gross burden o f 086,417 tons, being an increase
o f 82 vessels and 19,904 tons, as compared with the corresponding date o f
1860. The number o f paddle steamers was 1,312 ; o f screws, 601. A s
regards the materials o f which they were constructed, 860 were built of
wood, 1,080 of iron and five o f steel. O f the whole number o f steam
ships, 515 are owned in London and 214 in Liverpool. The scale o f op
erations entered upon by some o f the leading steamship companies of
England is enormous. First in importance, as concerns the United States,
is the “ C ustard fleet,” comprising no less than thirty large steamers, ave
raging not far from 2,000 tons. The largest o f these is the new steamer
“ S c o t ia ,” which measures 4,000 tons, and three more powerful ships
will soon be added.
STEAMERS
BETWEEN
BRISTOL
AND
NEW-YORK.
M it c h e l l ’ s Steam Shipping Journal thus alludes to the revival o f an
old p roject: The late B r u n el entertained a high opinion o f the Severn
as a transatlantic packet station. The Avon, which empties its waters
into the Severn, meets the river Frome at Bristol, ten miles from the
estuary, and the Great Western runs trains to and from London and Bris
tol in two hours and fifty-five minutes. As Bristol is eighty miles nearer
New-York than Liverpool, and there are steamboats from Bristol to all
the leading Irish ports, and also railway connecting links with Southamp
ton and Poole, on the southwest coast, and with the whole o f Wales and
England to the north and east, there is nothing surprising in the an
nouncement of the formation o f a company for placing express steamers
on from Bristol to New-York. These boats are to do the passage in less
than seven days. To achieve this they must be propelled at the rate of
l 7 f miles per hour on an average, or exactly 424 miles per day. This is
less than 15^ knots, and is exceeded by scores of steamers. From the
extreme length, light draught o f water, and enormous horse-power of the
vessels proposed for the Bristol and Newr-York trade, fully 20 miles per
hour is anticipated to be accomplished.
THE
RECOVERY
OF
SUNKEN
VESSELS.
Recently two pontoons, which have been built in connection with an in
genious apparatus for raising sunken vessels, were privately tested at Corbrook, in order to ascertain their power o f resisting pressure. Under the
name o f R a in b ir d ’ s patent encircling chains and self-gravitating air cylin, ders, a model o f the apparatus has been for some time before the public,
but the present is the first attempt to carry the invention into practical
effect, a company, called the Marine Salvage Company, having been re
cently formed to put the patent into operation. The invention may be
briefly and popularly described as consisting of two cylinders, each built
o f iron plates, in shape something like the hull o f vessels, covered in and
made air-tight. These cylinders or pontoons are divided into two com
partments, each of which is perforated by a hollow pillar or column.
1862.]
Journal o f Nautical Intelligence.
71
Through these columns it is intended to pass chains, the ends o f which,
by a simple but efficient arrangement, are prepared for being made fast
to the object to be raised. The pontoons, which, by means o f a radial
tube, are rendered self-gravitating, are then filled with a sufficient quan
tity of water to enable them to sink, and are lowered one on each side
of the sunken vessel. B y means o f powerful hydraulic apparatus on
board the attendant steamers, air is pumped down into the cylinders, so
as to displace the water, and pontoons and vessels, assisted by lifting
apparatus on board the steamer, rise gradually to the surface together.
The pontoons in question have been built by Messrs. G a l l o w a y & L o rd ,
of Knot Mill, and are the smallest size it is intended to make, being 70
feet long and 8 feet in diameter. These comparatively small cylinders,
however, represent a lifting power o f 300 tons dead weight, which -would
be equivalent to the real weight o f a vessel o f 700 or 800 tons burden.
They were subjected to hydraulic pressure to the extent of thirty-five
pounds to the square inch, and sustained that pressure without injury.
In a few days the pontoons will be taken down the canal and the Mersev
to Liverpool, and their capabilities for accomplishing what they are de
signed to effect will be thoroughly tested.— Manchester Guardian.
THE
LATE
GALES.
The extent of casualties during the late serious gales on the northeast
coast o f England, posted on L l o y d ’ s books, is not so heavy as was at
first contemplated, and the loss to the room does not exceed, it is said,
more than £25,000. In all there appears to be about sixty disasters, the
bulk of them coasters and colliers, which are supposed to be insured in
the northern clubs. Admiral F it z r o y , the head o f the Meteorological
Department of the government, in a letter to the Times, says the storm
o f the 2d was circuitous or cyclonic. Its centrical area was in the North
Sea, off Yorkshire, around which, along the coast, it blew hardest from
Northumberland to Norfolk. Off Flamborough Head it was sudden and
most severe. There was no wind to speak of in the west o f Ireland. On
the northeast coast and in the Irish Sea there was a short gale. This
cyclone was local, and did not travel far.
DEATH
OF
AN
OLD
SHIPMASTER.
The Salem Register chronicles the death of Captain S am u el W . C o o k ,
the oldest o f the sea captains o f that place. Captain C o o k was in his
ninety-third year. His wife survives him, in the eighty-seventh year of
her age, the two having lived in wedlock sixty-one years, occupying the
same house nearly the whole o f that period. They had two daughters,
both o f whom are living, the elder being the wife o f Gen. H e n r y K em
ble O l iv e r , State Treasurer, and one son, who died in 1823.
Capt. C o o k had quite an adventurous life. W e copy the description
o f some o f its incidents, as narrated in the R egister:
In the “ J ohn A d a m s ” war with France, Capt. C. commanded the brig
P o l l y , o f ten guns and twenty men, sailing from Charleston, S. C., she
being regularly commissioned as a letter o f marque by the United States
government. Her owner, one T u n io , a resident merchant o f Charleston,
Journal o f Nautical Intelligence.
72
[January,
desired C ook to wear tlie “ black cockade” as a distinctive badge, but
C o o k refused. He might fight or defend his vessel against the French,
but he was not “ anti-Gallacian” enough to wear the famous cockade.
W hile in this brig, and off Charleston bar, she was struck by lightning,
prostrating ten of her men and killing two ; and the remarkable part of
the affair was, that the lightning came from a small cloud in an otherwise
clear sky, so that Capt. C. thought that one of his guns had accidentally
exploded.
For a few years Captain C. sailed from Charleston to the W est Indies
and Europe, and then came North, and was engaged in the Salem and
Baltimore and Southern trade, distributing the cargoes o f our East Indiamen through Southern markets. In 1800 Captain C o o k was married to
S a r a h , eldest daughter o f Captain J am es C h e e v e r , of Salem, himself a
veteran shipmaster o f the revolutionary era. In February, 1802, Captain
C. sailed from Salem in the V o l u s ia , his brother, Captain J am es C o o k ,
in the H l t s s e s , and Captain W il l ia m B r o w n in the B r u tu s , the weather
being remarkably fine, bound for Bordeaux and the Mediterranean ; and
these ships were totally lost in a violent snowstorm that night on Cape
Cod, and Captain B r o w n and six o f his crew perished from exposure.
On striking, Captain Cook destroyed all the rum on board, except that
put into the boots o f his men to save their feet from freezing, and gathered
them all into the ship’ s cabin. He thought, however, that they would
all have perished gradually, had not a Methodist minister, returning
from Provincetown, discovered his ship on the Truro beach, and sounded
the alarm. C o r n e , the Italian marine painter, painted for Captain C. the
scenes of this storm and wreck, so notable in our marine annals.
THE
ENGLISH
MERCANTILE
MARINE
FUND.
On the 1st of October, 1861, there was a reduction o f 10 per cent, on
light dues charged on vessels to foreign parts, and 25 per cent, on coasting
vessels. This diminution in light-house charges arises from the large
surplus under the Mercantile Marine Fund. The excess o f income over
expenditure, for the year 1860, was £90,021. The cash received from
the Trinity House was £240,910, from the Port of Dublin Corporation,
£18,318, and the Commissioners o f Northern Light-houses, £24,227.
The Trinity House expended £132,037 ; therefore the income over ex
penditure was £108,879. As a counterpoise to this, the Dublin Cor
poration exceeded their income by £19,375, and the Scotch Commis
sioners expended £5,676 more than they received. On the whole,
however, the lights have yielded £83,824 more in dues than was
expended on their maintenance. The expenses paid on ballastage was
£41,581, which left a surplus over income of £5,275. Money orders for
the transmission o f wages are issued to seamen at the shipping-offices,
and it is evident that our sailors are glad to have this safe and ready
method of remitting cash to their wives or members o f their families.
The number o f orders issued in 1855 was 4,640, and the amount paid in
£76,952. The numbers have gone on increasing since that date. Last
year 28,381 seamen deposited £169,925, and received money orders
payable at other ports than those at which they were paid off. Out of
£834,685 paid into the hands o f shipping-masters since the establishment
o f the system, only £1,887, on the 31st December last, remained un
claimed.— Times.
1 8 6 2 .]
Rail-Road and Steamboat Statistics.
73
R A I L - R O A D AND S T E A MB O A T S T A T I S T I CS .
I. T he R a il -R oads on C onnecticut .
II. R a il - R oad from N e w - Y ork to W ashington . III.
N e w - Y ork C en tr al E a il -E o a d . IV . Sp a n ish R a il w a y s . Y . T he L ast op the C oaches .
V I. E a il w a y s in E n g l a n d . V II. T he F irst S tea m bo at . Y III. A N e w F err y to J ersey
C it y .
RAIL-ROADS
OF
CONNECTICUT.
a former number we gave tlie general results o f the reports o f
the rail-roads of this State to the commissioners for the year 1860. It
is to be regretted that the various reports are not made up to a specified
time, as much of the advantage o f classifying statistics o f different roads
is lost, from the fact that the operations classified embrace different pe
riods, in which a totally different state o f things may exist. It is, how
ever, much better to give the results as they exist than not to give them
at a ll:
In
R oa ds.
Capital.
N ew -Y ork and N ew -H aven,. $ 3,000,000 $
New-Haven and H artford ,.. .
2,350,000
N orw ich and W orcester,. . . .
2,825,000
P rov., H artford and Fishkill,
4,500,000
N. L., W illiman. and Palmer,
1,100,000
H ousatonic,............................... 2,000,000
N au gatu ck ,...............................
1,031,800
B an bury and N orw alk ,.........
400,000
N. Haven and Northam pton,
922,500
N. H ., N . L . and Stonington,.
138,538
N. Y ., Prov. and B oston ,. . . .
1,508,000
Boston and N . Y . Central,.. .
2,100,000
Totals,
Capital
Funded and
Fates of
p aid in. Floating Debt. Interest paid.
2,980,839
2,350,500
2,122,500
2,042,539
510,900
2,000,000
1,031,800
301,010
922,500
138,538
1,508,000
2,241,000
$2,123,888 6| per cent.
936,000 6 per cent.
656,586 6J per cent.
2,161,691 j Taken f ’m last
1,052,100 ( year’s report.
293,132
311,158 1 p er ct.nearly.
96,500 1
“
500,000 1
“
906,429 1 “ on f. debt.
216,800 6
“
1,612,589 6
$23,615,838 $18,156,621 $10,981,815
RAIL-ROAD COMMUNICATION BETWEEN NEW -YORK AND WASHINGTON.
A deputation o f influential gentlemen from Washington and George
town waited upon the Mayor of Washington and the Postmaster-General
in October, by appointment, to obtain their official influence with Con
gress to procure some amelioration of the suffering and inconvenience
produced by the defective railway and mail communication through Bal
timore and Philadelphia to the north. The deputation consisted o f Mr.
Alderman S e m m e s , Mr. E m i l e D u p r e , Mr. G e o r g e P a r k e r , Mr. P l i n y
M i l e s , Col. P e t e r F o r c e , Mr. P e r r y , Mr. G e o r g e L o w r y , of George
town, Mr. J o n e s , o f the National Hotel, Mr. V a n V l e i t , Mr. H u d s o n
T a y l o r , Mr. R i l e y , & c .
Mr. W a l l a c h , the -Mayor, entered fully into
their views, and agreed with the deputation that the time had arrived for
some public action on the subject, Washington was not as large a com
mercial city as either New-York, Philadelphia or Baltimore, but the citi
zens had their rights, and, at the present time, both to the government
and the public, the want of a great national highway between the com-
74
[January,
Rail-Road and Steamboat Statistics.
mercial and the political capital of the country was severely felt. To
the government this want had cost millions, and the merchants and citi
zens o f Washington and Georgetown were now expending tens o f thou
sands every week in freights and an advance of prices on all the necessa
ries of life, and all for want o f a good railway system— a continuous steam
track between Washington and New-York. The Postmaster-General
said lie should take the views of the deputation into full consideration,
and see what influence he could use to abate the grievance complained
of. Thanking him for his courtesy and attention, the deputation then
withdrew.
THE
NEW-YORK
CENTRAL
RAIL-ROAD
COMPANY.
Cost, Earnings, Expenses, die., yearly, f o r seven years, commencing with 1834 and
ending with 1860.
Y ea rs.
1854..
1855..
1856..
1857..
1 8 5 8..
1 8 5 9..
1 860..
Cost.
Gross
Mileage. Earnings.
. $ 25,907,314563 $ 6,992,009
.27,360,731 556
6,563,581
.29,786,372 556
7,707,348
.30,515,815 556
8,027,251
.30,732,517 556
6,528,412
.30,840,713 647
6,200,166
.31,106,095 647
6,957,241
Expenses.
Net
Earnings.
3,485,736
3,401,455
4,097,867
4,453,515
3,487,292
3,349,429
4,278,840
$3,506,272
3,162,126
3,609,481
3,573,736
3,041,120
2,851,737
2,678,901
Dividend, p. ct.
$ 2,114,953
1,916,483
1,919,564
1,919,564
1,919,564
1,679,782
1,440,000
9
8
8
8
8
7
6
Total, $ 206,249,616 4,081 $48,977,008 $26,554,134 $22,422,874 $12,908,910 54
The New-York Central Rail-Road Company have already become con
sumers o f coal to a considerable amount annually, and arc now altering
locomotives to burn this fuel. They have purchased coal from Penn
sylvania, brought by the way o f Erie so far, but this costs rather more
than the company are disposed to pay.
A t a late meeting of the directors a proposition was made by parties
interested in the coal fields of Potter County, Penn., with a view of having
the company get their supplies from that quarter, at the head o f navi
gation o f the Genesee Valley Canal and the Alleghany River. Messrs.
G ould and U n d e r w o o d were appointed a committee o f the board to go
to the coal fields and make an examination. They did so, and made a
report to the board. W e have not seen the report, but understand that
the committee found coal was abundant, and that it might be brought
to the slack water navigation o f the Alleghany by a rail-road some 22
miles in length, yet to be constructed. O f the practicability o f con
structing such a rail-road there is no question, the route being an easy
one. As to the quality o f the coal for locomotives, that remains to be
tested.
The Genesee Valley Extension, from Olean to Millgrove Pond, has
been completed, so that canal boats from this city can reach, by slack
water on the Alleghany, the highest point requisite to take coal. The
construction of the railway for 22 miles alone remains to be done to in
sure the production of a large quantity of coal at this point, at reasonable
rates. W hat the Central Company intend to do in case the coal proves
to be such as they require, we are not advised, but we suspect that they
will assist in the construction of the proposed railway, and receive coal
in return for the aid they may render.
1862.]
15
Rail-Road and Steamboat Statistics.
SPANISH
RAILWAYS.
Agents o f the Spanish government are endeavoring, in England, to
negotiate for the supply o f iron rails to the extent o f 12,000 tons, be
sides about SO locomotive engines and some 600 railway carriages. The
nature and extent of the trade o f Birmingham with Spain is now o f
considerable local importance, there being strong indications that the
Spanish government will become large customers for railway engines and
carriages. During the first seven months o f the present year Spain has
taken an increased quantity o f English machinery besides coal, culm and
other articles.
THE
LAST
OF
THE
COACHES
IN
ENGLAND.
The railways are gradually pushing the coaches off the road. The
opening o f the Worcester and Hereford Railway, besides superseding
numberless carriers’ carts, has caused three mail coaches to be discon
tinued, viz., the Worcester and Hereford Royal Mail, P r a t t ’ s Chelten
ham and Malvern Mail, and the Worcester and Leominster Mail. All
these were doing fairly before the opening o f the railway, but have now
ceased to run for want of passengers. The Leominster Mail, the last o f
the three, has succumbed recently. Before the Worcester and Hereford
line was opened from Worcester to Malvern, about twenty coaches ran
daily between Malvern and Worcester, every one of which is now put
down.
RAILWAYS
IN
ENGLAND.
Subjoined is an abstract o f a recent parliamentary return on railways,
exhibiting the receipts and expenditures o f England and Wales, Scotland
and Ireland respectively. There is one very important omission in this
return, no account being given o f the amount o f interest paid on pre
ferred shares, guarantees, debentures and loans:
E n g la n d & W ales.
S c o tla n d .
Irela n d .
P r o p o r tio n o f
Total receipts, ................... £23,454,810 . . £ 2,925,229 . . £ 1,368,447 e x p e n d it u r e
E x p e n d it u r e .
Maintenance o f w a y , ......... £ 2 ,0 2 5 ,4 6 5 ..
Locom otive pow er, ............
3 ,275,058..
Repairs and renewals,........
941,541 . .
Traffic charges, ...................
3 ,2 02 ,0 5 8 ..
Rates and taxes ..................
430,823 . .
Government duty, ..............
335,789 . .
Compensation for accidents,
1 6 2 ,9 2 1 ..
M iscellaneous, .....................
8 8 4 ,4 4 9 ..
E x p e n d it u r e .
£ 2 2 5 ,8 3 7 ..
3 5 0 ,5 4 7 ..
131,054 . .
3 4 7 ,0 7 0 ..
56,677 . .
27,385 . .
1 0 ,4 2 4 ..
1 2 7 ,1 3 4 ..
£11,258,104 . . £1,306,128 . .
in U . K in g d o m .
E x p e n d i t u r e , p e r ce n t.
£ 1 5 6 ,0 6 0 ..
175,677 . .
46,189 . .
1 5 0 ,5 8 0 ..
29,867 . .
............
7 ,8 2 5 ..
5 6 ,9 3 8 ..
£623,136 . .
18.48
28.83
8.49
28.05
3.93
2.75
1.37
8.10
100.00
Total receipts,..........................................................................
Total expenditure,...................................................................
£ 27,748,486
13,187,368
Net receipts,..................................................
Proportion of expenditure to total receipts, per cent.,.. .
£14,561,118
47.00
76
Rail-Road and Steamboat Statistics.
THE
FIRST
[January,
STEAMBOAT.
W e have not far to look for the first germ o f steam navigation.
That huge model, which appears to be a combination of two funnels and
a number o f chains working over wheels, is the parent marine engine.
As early as the year 1787, P a t r ic k M il l e r , of Dalswinton, Scotland,
engaged himself in making experiments with double and treble boats,
which he propelled by means o f wheels placed between them worked
by manual labor; in the following year he induced S y m in g t o n , an engi
neer at W enlock Head, to apply to it a marine steam engine he had in
vented. This engine propelled the boat along Dalswinton Lake at the
rate of five miles an hour. This was undoubtedly the first attempt ever
made to use steam as the motive power in a vessel, although it was not
the first practical steamboat. The engine, which belongs to the earliest
history of that invention, is what is called an atmospheric engine, that is,
the piston is raised by the action of steam, and then it is forced down
by atmospheric pressure. The history o f this curious parent o f steam
navigation is worthy noting. After the trial in the boat the engine
was removed to Mr. M il l e r ’ s library, where it remained until his death,
in 1815 ; in 182 8 it was sent by his son, packed in a deal case, to Messrs.
C outts & Co., in the Strand, where it remained until 1837, and finally
it found its way to a plumber’ s in Edinburgh, who flung it aside with the
purpose of melting it. However, the model was rescued from destruc
tion in 1855, and was restored to its former working condition by Messrs.
P e n n & S on in 1857.-— Once a Week.
A NEW
FERRY
TO
JERSEY
CITY.
The first ferry-house in New-York intended for the ferry between
Chambers-street and Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City, has been completed,
under the auspices o f the Erie Rail-Road Company. For five or six
weeks past the ferry has been in successful operation, boats running
every fifteen minutes, and carrying many passengers. Two ferry-boats
are now in use, and two more are ordered and being built.
The
Chambers-street ferry, after their completion, will be equal to the best
ferry in the city, On the other side o f the river houses will soon spring
up about the Long Dock, and there will bo a tendency towards union
between Jersey City and Hoboken. The terminus o f the Erie Rail-Road
is now complete in every thing that pertains to comfort and convenience.
The Bergen tunnel brought the Hackensack Valley two miles nearer,
and this ferry now brings Jersey City half a mile closer to the main
portion of the city. A breathing trip out o f town will now be more
easily attainable, and Patterson and the mountains at Sufferns will be as
convenient as Staten Island or the Elysian Fields. The ferry buildings
on both sides are built in the most commodious style, and after elegant
architectural designs. A t the foot o f Chambers-street the company’ s
yard is entered through a massive triple-arched portal. The ferry-house
consists of five parts : the entrance to the bridge, the sitting rooms, the
rail-road ticket and baggage offices, the emigrant rooms, and the com
pany’s telegraph and other offices on the second floor. The whole is
built of wood, and painted with a sandy substance in imitation o f brown
stone.— N . T . Tribune.
1862.]
'll
Postal Statistics.
POSTAL
STATISTICS.
I. A n n u a l R etort
o f the P ostmaster -G eneral , U. S., 1S61.
II. T u b F rench M a il s . III.
B ritish M a il s to I n d ia a n d C h in a . IV . TnK A u st ra l ia n M a il s . V. B ritish Su bsid ies .
V I. T iie C u nard Steam ers . V II. D e ad L etters . V III. P ostage to I t a l y . IX . T iie
B ritish A d m ir a l t y .
REVENUE
OF U N I T E D
STATES
POST-OFFICES.
Postmaster-General reports the number of post-offices at the close
of the fiscal year, including all in the revolted States, at 28,620. The
total revenue o f the department for the year was $9,049,296, being
$168,771 less than in 1860. The expenditures for the year amounted to
$13,606,759, being less than in 1860 by $1,268,014. As the unproduc
tive States in our postal system are almost exclusively those that have
attempted the suicidal rebellion and thus lost their mail service, it will
be of interest to see, another year, the very large reduction that must
occur in the postal expenditures, the service having been discontinued on
the 30th o f May last, one month before the close o f the fiscal year.
T
he
COST
OP
THE
MAIL
SERVICE.
The total cost of the mail service in the rebellious States, during the
fiscal year, was $3,699,150, and the gross revenue $1,241,220, showing
the enormous deficit of no less than $2,457,930. And the postal expenses
o f these States is on the increase to a far greater extent than the postal
revenue. In 1856, five years ago, the postal expenses o f the States now
in revolt amounted to $2,951,970, being $747,580 less than in 1861,
while the revenue in 1856 was $1,086,478, or only $154,742 behind the
year 1861. During the year 1856, the Northern or free States, including
California, and all the new territories over which the service wras extended
at a vast expense— Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, New-Mexico, Utah,
Oregon and Washington— the postal expenses were $5,186,658, while
the revenue was $4,987,588, being behind the expenses only $199,000,
a rather strong contrast to the deficiency in the Southern States, in the
same year, without a single new territory, o f $2,190,000.
The State of New-York furnishes every year twenty per cent, of the
postal income o f the nation, while the State’s postal expenses are less
than twelve per cent, o f the whole. Forty per cent, of the correspondence
and income is furnished by Massachusetts, New-York and Pennsylvania,
and more than one-half by the New-England States, New-York, Pennsyl
vania and New-Jersey. 15very single comparison and contrast that can
be made points in the same direction. Taking the figures o f 1856, and
reckoning a just proportion o f the money due the Post-Office Depart
ment for carrying the “ free” matter, the actual cost o f transporting
and circulating the correspondence in the States above mentioned was
exactly one cent and eight mills for each half ounce letter.
The postal expenses in Arkansas the same year amounted to 18 cents
78
Postal Statistics.
[January,
3 mills a letter; in Florida, 11 cents 5 mills ; in Texas, 8 cents; in Mis
sissippi, 1 cents 3 mills; in Alabama, 6 cents 5 mills; and the State of
South Carolina comes next in the scale, with 0 cents 4 mills as the ex
pense o f each letter. In Massachusetts the legitimate and exact cost was
1 cent 5 mills ; and in the State o f New-York, 1 cent 6 mills. The lowest
in the scale was Rhode Island, being 1 cent 4 mills, while Pennsylvania
letters cost 1 cent 9 mills each, and those in Connecticut, 2 cents each.
Reckoned in the same way and on the same scale— an exact computa
tion from official figures— the cost of all the letters in the northern and
central regions of the country, including Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri
and California, was exactly 2 cents 4 mills a letter, and in the States on
the Gulf of Mexico, all reckoned together, 6 cents 1 mills a letter. These
facts show us how the money paid in postage here at the North and East
goes to support a postal establishment at the South and far West, while
the cost should come out o f the Treasury direct
BRITISH
AND
AMERICAN
POSTAL
ARRANGEMENTS.’
The contrast between the British and American postal reports is pe
culiarly striking in some particulars. The British people send by mail
in a year 564,000,000 letters, or a million and a half daily ; being three
times as many as with us. The total income of the British Post-Office
was over $16,000,000, and the clear profits over $7,000,000. In the
United Kingdom are 11,441 post-offices and 2,473 road letter-pillars.
W ill our Postmaster-General bear in mind, before he allows any more o f
our detestable lamp-post boxes to be put up, that an English letter-pillar
can be reached and a letter deposited in it by a child five years old ?
The mails were carried daily by railway 30,000 m iles; by coach, cart
and omnibus, 32,000 m iles; by boat, 2,800 miles, and by men on foot,
70,000 miles.
There were sent by mail 71,000,000 newspapers and
11,700 book packets. The postal revenue increased over $400,000 above
the income of the year before. All the dead letters were returned to the
writers without any expense or tax whatever, the number amounting to
nearly two millions. Almost seventy million dollars was remitted in
complete safety in post-office money orders.
THE
FRENCH
MAILS.
Imperial decrees grant the privilege o f conveying mails to the Compagnie Generate Maritime by the steamers it is about to establish between
France, the United States and the W est Indies; also, to the com
pany of the Services Maritimes des Messageries Imperiales on its lines
from Suez to China, Reunion, the French possessions in the East Indies,
and the Dutch and Spanish colonies. The latter company has obtained
from the Viceroy o f Egypt a concession o f land at Suez for constructing
docks.
B R I T I S H MA I L S TO
SINGAPORE,
PENANG,
CHINA,
ETC.
In consequence o f the urgent applications made to the British govern
ment for the restoration of the second monthly mail service between Eng
1862.]
19
Postal Statistics.
land and China, which was discontinued last month, it has been determined
to re-establish this service. The Post-Office Department have issued the
following n otice:
“ Mails for Penang, Singapore and China will be made up in London
on the morning of the 20th inst. for despatch via Southampton, and on
the evening of the 26th inst. for despatch via Marseilles, and thencefor
ward the mails will be despatched twice a month as formerly, viz. : On
the mornings of the 4th and 20th via Southampton; on the evenings o f
the 10th and 26th via Marseilles.
“ As the revenue derived from the correspondence conveyed by the line
o f packets between Point de Galle and Shanghai is insufficient to cover
the cost of this double service, the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury
have, by warrant, directed that the postage upon such correspondence
shall be increased. All letters, therefore, for Penang, Singapore, Hong
Kong and other parts o f China, Japan, Java, the Philippine Islands, Labuan, Borneo, Siam, Sumatra and the Moluccas will in future be chargea
ble with the following rates o f postage, viz.:
“ Via Southampton— For a letter not exceeding \ oz., I s .; above £ oz.
and not exceeding 1 oz., 2 s.; above 1 oz. and not exceeding 2 oz., 4 s.;
above 2 oz. and not exceeding 3 oz., 6s.
“ Via Marseilles— For a letter not exceeding £ oz., Is. 3d.; above ^ oz.
and not exceeding -J- oz., Is. 6 d .; above % oz. and not exceeding f oz.,
2s. 9 d .; above | oz. and not exceeding 1 oz., 3s.
“ The postage chargeable upon letters for Penang, Singapore, Hong
Kong and all other parts o f China, Japan, Java, the Philippine Islands,
Labuan, Borneo, Siam, Sumatra and the Moluccas, posted in the United
States for transmission, via the United Kingdom, will hereafter be fortyfive cents the single rate o f half an ounce or under, prepayment required ;
and that this increased rate o f postage must be levied and collected in
this country upon all such letters, whether directed for transmission from
England, via Southampton or via Marseilles.
“ Postmasters will please note this change upon the tables of postages
to foreign countries, and collect postage accordingly.”
THE
AUSTRALIAN
MAIL
SERVICE.
A contract has been made and signed between the British govern
ment and the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, for
the renewal of the Australian mail service, by the conveyance of the
mails between Point de Galle (Ceylon) and Australia. The subsidy is
£134,672 per annum, to be paid quarterly on the 1st January, April,
July and October, with a guarantee from the company o f £25,000 for the
performance o f the same.
ONE
RESULT
OF
BRITISH
SUBSIDIES.
It has been part o f the persistent policy of the British government to
establish lines of steamers with every new market, and grant such facili
ties o f trade as to secure a constant increase in the manufactures, and
thus increase her export trade.
It is by this system that she secures her extensive trade with the South
[January,
Postal Statistics.
80
American coast, all o f which belongs to the United States by right of
proximity and every commercial argument. No less than twelve English
steamers are supported on the western coast o f South America, encour
aging the English, and shutting out American enterprise. This has been
accomplished with the meager subsidy o f less than $300,000 per annum ;
but without it no such enterprises would have been attempted.
This general subject is one o f importance to the manufacturing and
mercantile interests o f this country. Within a few years our successive
Congresses have almost abolished subsidies to American postal steamers,
& c .; and, on the other hand, Great Britain has increased hers, especially
in relation to the American lines.
THE
CI T WARD
ATLANTIC
STEAMERS.
Pending an inquiry in the British parliament in relation to the foreign
mail contracts, one o f the members made the following remarkable state
ment :
The C u n ar d Company has been in existence since 1 8 4 0, and not only
during the first two years, but from first to last, there had been no breach
o f contract. They had incurred no penalties, and had never asked any
indulgence from the government. They had earned the mails with un
deviating regularity during the twenty-one years those contracts had
been in force.
STRAY MONEY
LETTERS.
Statement o f dead letters containing money received at the Dead
Office, Washington, during the past year.
Qr. ending 31st March, 1860, 2,403 letters, containing $ 13,120
“
30th June,
1860, 2,860
“
“
16,177
“
30th Sept.,
1860, 2,192
“
“
10,975
“
31st Dec.,
1860, 2,335
“
“
11,880
Letter
87
41
88
70
Total for the year 1860, 9,790 letters, containing $ 52,154 86
Average amount of money to each letter,...........
$ 5 321More than nine-tenths o f the above letters and money have been sent
out and delivered to the writers thereof. Those letters containing money,
the owners o f which cannot be found, are filed, to await the application
o f the owners. If not called for before June next, the bank notes con
tained iu the letters will be sold for specie, and the specie deposited in
the United States Treasury. But the letter and a draft for the amount
contained in it, (less the discount,) may be obtained on proper application
at any time thereafter.
Persons making application for missing valuable letters, supposed to
have been sent to the dead letter office, should address “ Third Assistant
P. M. General, Dead Letter Office,” and state correctly the address o f the
letter inquired for, the name o f the writer thereof, a description o f its
contents or enclosure, the date when it was originally mailed, the amount
o f postage, and whether paid or unpaid; if registered, the registry num
ber, and if the letter is supposed to have been returned to the dead letr
ter office, the date when it was so returned should be stated. Dead let
ters, not containing enclosures of value, are destroyed as soon as opened.
1862.]
81
Postal Statistics.
DEAD
LETTERS.
The following order has been issued from the Post-Office Department:
P ost -O f f ic e D e p a r t m e n t , N
ov.
26, 1861.
In view o f the increased number o f letters held for postage and re
turned to the dead-letter office, it is ordered that the order of this de
partment, dated 8th October, 1860, be rescinded, and the prior practice
be restored. Postmasters will, therefore, notify the person addressed
that such letter is held for postage, and that upon his writing therefor,
prepaying the postage on his letter and enclosing a stamp to be placed
on the letter held for postage, the same will be forwarded to his address.
B y order of the Postmaster-General.
J o h n A. K a s s o n , First Asst. P . M . G.
POSTAGE
TO
ITALY
BY
THE
FRENCH
SI A I L .
W e are requested to state that, on and after the first o f January, 1862,
the postage chargeable upon letters between the United States and Italy,
(the Austrian Provinces and Pontifical States excepted,) forwarded via
France, in the French mail, will be reduced from twenty-seven to twentyone cents, the single rate o f one-fourth ounce or under, prepayment op
tional. The single rate by the French mail, upon letters for the Vene
tian and Papal States, will remain unchanged at twenty-seven cents the
quarter ounce, and fifty-four cents the half-ounce letter, pre-payment op
tional. Postmasters will note these changes upon their foreign tables,
and levy postage accordingly, on and after January 1, 1862.— Washing
ton Republican.
BUSINESS
OF
THE
BRITISH
ADMIRALTY.
In 1792 the number o f letters despatched from the Admiralty was
8,251; in 1835 it had increased to 31,086 ; and in 1860 to 68,622 ; and
that although in this last year a large number o f unimportant routine
letters were no longer registered, and a considerable number o f docu
ments which used to be retained at Whitehall are now, when acted upon,
sent to Somerset House.
The pages o f entry, 4,402 in 1791, and
10,132 in 1835, were 30,669 in 1860.
There was more to write about;
the artificers in the dock-yards increased from 7,884 in 1835, to 18,574
in 1860, and the ships in commission from 167 to 363. But the Admi
ralty correspondence is swelled by an interference in details that might
have been expected to be left to the admirals or commanders-in-chief at
the ports. Bear-Admiral G. E l l io t told the Commons’ Committee on
the Board o f Admiralty that he had seen piles of letters upon most
trivial matters; lately, for instance, a long correspondence which a lieu
tenant had had with the Admiralty about a table-cloth, and he believed
there were several copies of the letters made. The lieutenant, it seems,
was tired first; lie could not get his pay, and therefore made his table
cloth a flag o f truce, and came to terms of peace.
V OL.
x l v i .— n o . i .
6
82
[January,
Statistics o f Trade and Commerce.
STATISTICS
OF T R A D E
AND COMMERCE.
I. Ch icag o T r ad e , 1861. II. D em an d f o r S u g a r a n d M olasses . III. P h il a d e l p h ia T r a d e .
IY. T he O piu m Shops . Y. S h ip p in g i n M on treal . YI. F ictitiou s W in es . YII. A m eri
can S team ers in C h in a . YIII. T he N utmeg D ise ase . IX. I m ports of C otton a t B re . men . X. T he Sil k T r a d e of E n g l a n d .
CHICAGO
T R A D E ,
1861.
T h e following is a statement o f tlie business o f Chicago for the season
ending November 30. A s navigation upon the lakes is substantially
closed, the grain business for the season may be regarded as over, though
considerable will be done on the rail-roads during the winter, if the NewYork markets will warrant it. Below is a table of some of the leading
ing articles received at Chicago for two seasons, from January 1st to No
vember 30th:
Receipts.
F lour,........ . . .bbls.
ti
P o rk ,...........
W heat.........
C o r n ,........... , “
({
O ats,...........
(t
R y e ,.............
ti
B a r le y ,. . . .
L um ber,. . .
Shin gles,.. . . ..N o .
it
L a th ,...........
W o o l , .........
L a r d ,...........
((
B u tter,. . . .
it
L e a d ,.........
L iv e h o g s ,. . . .N o.
Dressed h o g s,. . “
a
B e e f cattle,.
B e e f,........... . .bbls.
1861.
1,338,491
44,381
17,581,521
26,154,425
1,890,125
482,495
704,971
213,775,000
59,375,851
17,302,500
912,518
6,345,398
2,265,148
12,179,434
265,464
149,318
148,425
41,460
DEMA N D
FOR
..
..
..
..
..
..
Shipments.
1860.
588,020
13,588
13,571,201
15,448,524
1,532,436
300,907
530,717
256,303,611
115,089,411
27,968,856
671,662
388,309
1,522,418
10,600,097
193,882
52,144
133,995
21,480
SUGAR
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
AND
1861.
1,434,298
99,987
14,428,162
23,750,187
1,634,471
402,995
145,421
156,993,500
91,078,250
115,000,000
1,290,319
13,509,596
1,818,118
6.487,482
150,759
59,972
101,495
60,858
1860.
..
618,807
67,229
..
12,343,700
..
13,715,137
..
1,041,710
..
139,309
..
245,908
..
215,435,452
..
. . 156,868,325
62,932,531
..
723,142
..
7,261.273
..
1,714,011
..
9,174,750
..
..
117,715
17,551
..
95,434
..
41,423
..
MOLASSES.
The New-Orleans Crescent has the following: There have been large
remittances from Tennessee in Treasury notes within the past few days to
be invested in sugar and molasses. The demand for sugar and molasses
for Alabama and Tennessee is extending, and heavy transactions are ex
pected the coming month. The shipments o f molasses this week have
been large for the times. All o f this article made this season will pro
bably, in fact without a doubt, be required for consumption in the Southern
Confederacy, and, with the promising large yield o f sugar relatively, the
returns will be proportionately larger. The great value o f molasses for
plantation and negro supplies will be fully realized and demonstrated this
year. W e are in for a war o f longer or less duration. I f the blockade
o f our ports is not raised within three or four months, cotton will be a
Statistics
Trade and Commerce.
..
............... ,,o f _____________________
-
186a.]
83
drug. Prices o f breadstuff's are advancing to most exorbitant prices.
Sugar and molasses will be the only products to be relied on. These two
items will be worth in market something approximating twenty-eight
millions o f dollars. If, however, cotton planters cannot sell their cotton,
or are compelled to keep it on plantations, how can they realize money
to purchase sugar and molasses, which will be very abundant, and possibly
rule at extreme low rates ?
PHILADELPHIA
FOREIGN
COMMERCE.
The business of the Philadelphia Custom-House in November was as
follows:
Duties Received.
Novem ber...................
Previous 10 months,.
1858.
1859.
1860.
$ 76,396 . .
1,774,818 . .
$163,448 . .
2,036,967 . .
$ 7 3 ,5 1 4 . .
2,369,275 . .
i 1,851,241
THE
OPIUM
$2,200,355 . . $2,442,849
SHOPS
OF
1861.
$76,566
1,214,296
$1,290,862
JAVA.
What spirituous liquors are for the European, opium is in Java for the
Mohammedan and Chinaman. A European o f the lower classes may sit
in his tap-room and debase himself by his sottishness; but he does it
with an uproarious merriment, which would make one think he was really
happy, spite o f the headaches and delirium tremens he may know are in
store for him. But in an opium hell all is as still as the grave. A murky
lamp spreads a flickering light through the low-roofed suffocating room,
in which are placed bae-bae or rough wooden tables, covered with coarse
matting, and divided into compartments by means o f bamboo-reed wainscotting. The opium-smokers, men and women, lost to every sense o f
modesty, throw themselves languidly on the matting, and, their heads
supported by a greasy cushion, prepare to indulge in their darling vice.
A small burning lamp is placed on the table, so as to be easily reached
by all the degraded wretches who seek forgetfulness or clysium in the
fumes o f opium. A pipe o f bamboo-reed, with a bowl at one end to
contain the opium, is generally made to do service for two smokers. A
piece o f opium, about the size o f a pea, costs sixpence; (aday’s wages;)
but it is sufficient to lull, by its fumes, the senses of the smoker. These
fumes they inhale deliberately, retaining them in the mouth as long as
they can, and allowing them gradually to exhale through their nostrils.
After two or three inhalations, however, the opium is consumed, and the
pipe falls from the hand o f its victim.
A t first the smokers talk to each other in a whisper scarcely audible ;
but they soon become still as the dead. Their dull sunken eyes gradually
become bright and sparkling; their hollow cheeks seem to assume a
healthy roundness; a gleam o f satisfaction, nay o f ecstacy, lightens up
their countenances as they revel in imagination in those sensual delights
which are to constitute their Mohammedan paradise. Enervated, lan
guid, emaciated, as they are in fact, they seem and feel for the time re
generated ; and though they lie there, the shameless and impassive slaves
of sensuality and lust, their senses are evidently steeped in bliss. Aroused,
however, from their dreams and delusions, the potency o f the charm ex
84
[January,
Statistics o f Trade and Commerce.
hausted, driven from their “ hell” by its proprietors, see them next
morning walking with faltering step, eyes dull as lead, and cheeks hollow
as coffins, to their work.— Fraser's Magazine.
SHIPPING
BUSINESS
AT
MONTREAL.
The number and tonnage o f vessels entered inwards at the port o f
Montreal, up to the 21st November in each year for the last ten years,
show the following figures:
No. o f Vessels.
Tonnage.
1 8 5 2 , .....................................................
191
4 5 ,8 0 2
1 8 5 3 , ....................................................
242
5 8 ,8 9 4
1 8 5 4 , .....................................................
275
7 2 ,3 0 5
1 8 5 5 ..........................................................
197
4 7 ,9 0 4
1 8 5 6 , .....................................................
230
6 9 ,7 7 7
1 8 5 7 , ....................................................
208
6 5 ,3 3 0
1 8 5 8 , .....................................................
191
7 0 ,1 8 3
1 8 5 9 , .....................................................
191
8 5 ,1 9 3
1 8 6 0 , ....................................................
240
1 1 8 ,2 1 6
1 8 6 1 , .....................................................
498
2 4 7 ,2 4 7
The enormous increase in the tonnage in 1861 shows how exceedingly
prosperous has been the trade this year, as compared with that of former
seasons. The number o f ships has actually doubled, and the Montreal
merchants must have reaped a rich harvest from their season’s business.
FICTITIOUS
WINES.
Even in the wine-growing countries no man can be sure that there is
,any grape juice in what he drinks under the name o f wine. Here the
probabilities are all against the genuineness of everything called wine.
An English paper, speaking of the manufacture and adulteration o f wines
in France, says:
A ll is false in wines; the color, the strength, the flavor, the age, even
the name under which they are sold. There are wines which do not con
tain a drop o f grape-juice. Even science is impotent to distinguish the
true from the false, so complete is the imitation. Y ou may every day
see advertised in the French newspapers the “ Seve de Medoc,” o f which
a small flacon, costing three francs, is declared sufficient to give flavor to
600 litres. Paris and Cette arc the principal seats of this fraudulent
adulteration. It is practiced in both places on the most colossal scale.
Certainly half o f the Parisian population drink, under the name of wine,
a mixture in which there is not a drop o f grape-juice. The police are
unable to prevent this adulteration, but the laws punish it with great se
verity ; every week do the newspapers publish judgments against wine
merchants and grocers, in execution o f which their wines, 20, 30, 80
hogsheads at once, are poured into gutters. But this dishonest art is now
so perfect that even clever chemists can with difficulty distinguish the
true wine from the false. Such was the case in a very recent trial. The
chemist, after reporting all the ingredients o f which the wine was com
posed, observed, that if one o f them were in less quantity, he would have
1862.]
85
Statistics o f Trade and Commerce.
been unable to distinguish it from the natural wine. The prosecuted
wine merchant, who was present, listened attentively to the chemist’ s re
port, and at last aslced him which ingredient it was. The chemist very
imprudently told him, and the accused immediately answered, “ I am
very much obliged, sir, and I don’t regret now my 40 hogsheads o f wine
which will be destroyed, because now I am certain of my business.”
THE
I mports,
Years.
1840,
1841,
1842,
1843,
1844,
1845,
1846,
1847,
1848,
1849,
HANSE
TOWNS.
exports and prices of cotton at
Imports.
P'ds. net.
2,343,930
1,242,584
3,814,482
7,336,646
4,501,901
6,697,607
4,372,771
4,414,974
5,743,823
8,503,565
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
At'g. price
Imports, p er pound
P ’ds, net. in grotes.
1,684,598 . . 10J
2,299,418 . . 11^
2,539,306 . .
9f
4,955,199 . .
7|
6,036,660 . .
8f
8,172,944 . .
7i
5,333,087 . .
9
3,081,538 . .
12£
5,574,700 . .
9i
8,626,450 . .
84
CONSUMPTION
OF
Bremen in the past twenty
Imports.
Years. P ’ds. net.
1850, 4,969,200
1851, 9,811,162
1852, 8,625,196
1853, 11,527,555
1854, 20,990,751
1855, 23,965,983
1856, 41,557,005
1857, 41,020,316
1858, 40,913,092
1859, 60,133,809
SILK
IN
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
years.
Avg. price
Exports, p er pound
P'ds, net. in grotes.
5,004,000 . .
144
13|
8,634,528 . .
8,940,839 . .
10i
10,540,471 . .
H I
18,001,546 . .
114
24,326,103 ■• H i
42,787,418 . .
12
36,074,019 . .
144
45,030,135 . .
181
51,799,704 . .
134
ENGLAND.
The following table shows the quantities o f raw silk consumed in Eng
land, and the countries whence imported, from 1843 to 1859.
Years.
1 8 4 3 ,..
1844,. .
1845,. .
1846,. .
1 8 4 7 ,. .
1 8 4 8 ,..
1849,. .
1 8 5 0 ,. .
1 8 5 1 ,. .
1852,. .
1853,. .
1854,. .
1855,. .
1856,. .
1857,. .
1 8 5 8 ,. .
1 8 5 9 ,. .
From
China,
hales o f
100 lbs.
3,047
3,163
9,180
13,546
19,966
19,789
18,814
19,272
22,187
24,550
34,460
51,997
57,150
60,816
59,291
80,201
76,983
..
..
..
. .
. .
..
..
..
..
..
..
. .
..
..
. .
..
..
From
Bengal,
hales o f
150 lbs.
8,142
10,170
11,688
9,700
9,160
6,437
8,644
9,393
8,657
11,685
9,687
7,861
9,152
16,053
8,064
8,957
14,153
AMERICAN
..
..
..
..
. .
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
. .
..
..
..
. .
From
Prussia
bales o f
200 lbs.
3,092
2,9^6
1,795
1,838
863
1,353
1,981
2,055
1,697
1,540
669
236
272
145
185
250
310
From
Persia ,
hales o f
15 lbs.
..
. .
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
. .
..
. .
2 ,100
2,867
864
2,060
795
1,060
1,327
3,499
3,381
3,008
4,607
2,306
1,765
1,856
2,459
1,315
1,134
STEAMERS
IN
. .
..
. .
..
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
..
. .
..
. .
..
..
..
. .
From
Ita ly ,
hales o f
280 Ihs.
6,439
6,270
5,303
5,018
3,740
6,339 . .
6,130
4,312
3,600
3,367
4,580
3,996
3,269
2,949
2,526
2,782 . .
2,681
..
Total
pounds.
4,104,820
4,407,625
4,519,360
4,736,740
4,650,025
5,070,470
5,390,125
5,216,935
5,118,225
5,684,110
7,660,775
7,717,880
8,190,895
9,483,470
8,067,405
10,291,235
10,718,980
CHINA.
The American steamer H a n k o u , Captain S a n d s , arrived at Singapore
on the 22d of August, having left New-York on the 13tli May last, call
ing at the Cape of Good Hope and Mauritius, and sailed for China on the
24 th.
86
[January,
Statistics o f Trade and Commerce.
THE
NUTMEG
DISEASE.
Much o f the prosperity o f Penang was owing, in days gone by, to
the cultivation of the nutmeg. This plant is now affected by a disease
for which no remedy has been discovered, and the cultivation of it is no
longer remunerative. Accordingly, many owners o f nutmeg plantations
are therefore turning their attention to the culture o f cocoanuts and
betel-nuts, planting them wherever the nutmeg trees have perished. An
effort is also being made to cultivate cinchona. The Penang Argus asks
why tea should not flourish upon the hills, and evidently thinks it worth
while that some experiment should be made for turning them to some
profitable account. The same paper also points out that cotton might be
cultivated with advantage in Penang.
PERUVIAN
GUANO
Is only allowed to be taken from the Chinchas, and its sales supplies
the principal revenue of the government. The following estimate of the
quantity of this fertilizer on the Chincha Islands was made by order o f
the Peruvian government in 1853, v iz .:
On the North Island,............................................. 4,189,477 tons.
“
Middle
“
2,505,948 “
“
South
“
5,680,675 “
Total,.................................................... 12,376,100
Since this estimate there has been exported, v iz .:
In 1854,...................................................................................
1855, ................................................................................
1856, ................................................................................
1857, ................................................................................
1858, ................................................................................
1859, ................................................................................
1860, ................................................................................
396,341 tons.
405,752 “
214,183 “
490,654 “
266,709 “
147,709 “
348,544 “
Total tons register,................................................ 2,269,892
Add 25 per cent, for difference between register tons and
true tons,............................................................................
567,473
Total tons o f guano exported,............................ 2,837,365
Estimated quantity on North and Middle Islands,........... 6,705,425
Tons remaining on North and Middle Islands, Jan., 1861, 3,868,060
Estimated quantity on South Island, yet untouched,.. . . 5,680,675
Total estimated quantity remaining at the
Chinchas, January 1, 1861,............................ 9,548,731 tons.
Supposing 400,000 tons carried away from the Chinchas each year, the
quantity remaining will last more than twenUj-three years.
87
Commercial Regulations.
1862.]
COMMERCIAL
REGULATIONS.
I. T r easury D ecisions .— 1. L it h o g ra ph ic H a n d b il ls .— 2. W oollen J a ck ets .— 3. D uty on
C igars . II. A B a n k r u p t L a w P roposed . III. T he Sequestration A ct a t the South . IY.
T he n e w C olom bian T a r if f . Y . R egu lation s in J a p a n . V I. F oreign C otton C loths in
F ran ce . Y II. F oreign W oollen G oods in F ran ce . V III. C ustom H ouses in C h in a .
TREASURY
DECISIONS.
following decisions b y the Secretary o f the Treasury o f questions
arising upon appeals by importers from the decisions o f collectors relating
to the proper classification, under the tariff act o f March 2, 1861, o f cer
tain articles o f foreign manufacture entered at the ports o f Boston, NewYork and Philadelphia, are published for information o f officers o f the
customs and others concerned.
T
he
L
i t h o g r a p h i c
H
a n d b i l l s
S
or
h o w b i l l s
.
T r e a s u r y D e p a r t m e n t , October 9, 1861.
Sir,— I have had under consideration an appeal o f E mil M a g n u s , Esq.,
from your decision subjecting to duty, at the rate o f 30 per cent., as a
“ manufacture o f paper,” under the tariff act o f March 2, 1861, certain
articles, styled by the importer “ engravings or plates,” the appellant
claiming entry thereof at the rate o f ten per cent, under the provision
for “ engravings or plates, bound or unbound,” in section 19 o f said tariff.
The articles in question are lithographic showbills or handbills, and are
designed as advertising posters. The handbill shows the manufacturing
building, the business, the location and the name o f the proprietors. I
concur with you in the opinion expressed in your report, on a further
consideration of the matter, that these articles are not embraced in either
of the above designations, but are liable on the entry to a duty at the
rate of 15 per cent, as “ printed matter,” under section 18 of said act, the
work being executed by the press alone.
I am, very respectfully,
S. P . C h a s e , Secretary o f the Treasury.
H ira m B
arney,
Esq., Collector, dec., New-York.
W
o o l l e n
J
a c k e t s
.
T r e a s u r y D e p a r t m e n t , October 21, 1 8 6 1.
Sir,— I have had under consideration your report on the appeal o f C.
A. T hu diu m from your assessment o f duty at the rate o f 12 cents per
pound, and, in addition thereto, twenty-five per cent, ad valorem, on
woollen jackets not made on frames, but hand-knit, open in front, with
buttons and sewed button holes and pockets, “ as being provided for in
Commercial Regulations.
88
[January,
the 2d clause o f section 13 o f the tariff act of March 2, 1861,” the appel
lant claiming entry o f the articles in question at the rate o f 30 per cent.,
as “ hosiery.”
These articles were, in my opinion, properly classed by you, upon
entry, under the provision for “ clothing ready made, and wearing appa
rel o f every description, composed wholly or in part of wool, made up or
manufactured wholly or in part by the tailor, seamstress or manufacturer,”
in the tariff act o f March 2, 1861, and your decision subjecting them to
duty at the rate o f 12 cents per pound, and, in addition thereto, twentyfive per centum, is hereby affirmed.
I am, very respectfully,
S. P. C h a s e , Secretary o f the Treasury.
W
m.
B. T h o m as , Esq., Collector, dr., Philadelphia, Penn.
C l U A R S .
T r e a s u r y D e p a r t m e n t , October 23, 1861.
Sir,— Your report on the appeal of H e n r y C. R ich a r d s from your as
sessment of duty at the rate o f 40 cents per pound, and, in addition
thereto, 10 per centum ad valorem on cigars costing $8 per thousand,
under the tariff act o f March 2, 1861, is received.
The appellant claims entry o f said cigars at the rate o f 40 cents per
pound only, alleging that the ten per cent, ad valorem applies only to ci
gars costing over ten dollars per thousand.
The provision for cigars in the act of 2d March, 1861, is in the 2d
clause o f the 6th section o f said act, and is as follows, to w it: “ On ci
gars o f all kinds, valued at five dollars or under per thousand, twenty
cents per pound; over five dollars and not over ten, forty cents per
pound; and over ten dollars, sixty cents per pound, and, in addition
thereto, ten per centum ad valorem."
You levied the duty in this case at the rate specified above, under
standing the law to mean that the ten per cent, in addition was duty,
equally applicable to “ cigars o f all kinds,” whether costing more or less
than ten dollars per thousand. In this view I concur, and your decision,
therefore, is hereby affirmed.
I am, very respectfully,
S. P. C h a se , Secretary o f the Treasury.
J. Z. G o o d r ic h , Esq., Collector, dec., Boston, Mass.
BANKRUPT
LAW.
The merchants o f this city are taking steps toward pressing on the le
gislature the policy o f a law insuring a property division o f the effects of
insolvents, and of liberating honest debtors from undue pressure, giving
them a chance for a new start in life. A bankrupt law is needed. Dis
honest debtors have a great advantage in the present relation o f debtor
and creditor, and preferences are given and allowed which amount to de
ception in the mass of instances. A number o f merchants have met at
the Fifth Avenue Hotel, R o y a l P h e l p s in the chair, and discussed this
1862.]
89
Commercial Regulations.
important matter. About fifty were present. Mr. P h e l p s reported that
lie had ascertained that “ some sort of a bankrupt bill will he passed at
the next Congress, under the pressure o f the debtor interest.” The pres
ent meeting represented the creditor interest. After much discussion,
and a suggestion from Mr. O p d y k e that hanks and banking institutions
he included in any bankrupt law that might he passed, and pointing out
that under our State constitution there is a clause subjecting every bank
rupt in a state of suspension to liquidation, the following was passed :
Resolved, That although your committee question the expediency of
passing a bankrupt law at the ensuing session o f Congress, solely because
o f the distracted state of the country and the impossibility of enforcing
its provisions in the States now in rebellion; yet, as they believe a per
manent law for the relief o f honest debtors, and for the equitable distri
bution of their effects among their creditors, will be beneficial, and as it
is our belief, and in view of the fact that an earnest effort will be made to
have a general bankrupt law passed at an early day, therefore we recom
mend that a committee be appointed and authorized to procure the ne
cessary legal aid to draft a bill and submit it to a future meeting o f this
body.
The following gentlemen were appointed the committee: W . G . L a m
b e r t , S e t h B . H u n t , A. B . W e t m o r e , G . W . L a n e , E. S . J e f f r e y , N.
S u l l i v a n , G e o r g e O p d y k e , A. C. B i c i i a r d s , J o h n M c K i l l o p , 0 . D. F.
G
rant,
B
oyal
P
h elps.
A resolution was then passed authorizing the committee to confer with
mercantile bodies o f other cities in gaining the same end.
The subject is o f great importance, and we think that the committee
thus appointed have ably fulfilled their duty. There is a very large class
of dealers that are seeking relief from the passage o f some law, and if a
good law is not passed, a bad one will. The pressure is very great.
Copies o f the proposed act will be furnished upon application to the
editor o f the M e r c h a n t s ’ M a g a z i n e , or to the Secretary of the NewYork Chamber o f Commerce.
THE
SEQUESTRATION
ACT
IN
ALABAMA.
The following decision was rendered recently by Judge J o n e s , in
the District Court, which we have been permitted to copy for the benefit
of those who may be similarly situated. W e understand that the amount
involved in this case will be considerable, after paying Mr. S a u l s b u r y ’ s
interest:
T h e C o n f e d e r a t e S t a t e s vs. J. L. S a u l s b u r y & Co., Garnishees.— In
this case, arising under the sequestration law, it appears from the answer
and petition of J a m e s L. S a u l s b u r y , that a copartnership heretofore ex
isted between himself and J o h n T . H e n r y , in the mercantile business in
New-York, under the firm o f S a u l s b u r y & H e n r y , and in Alabama un
der the firm of J. L. S a u l s b u r y & Co.
Mr. S a u l s b u r y is a citizen of Alabama. Mr. H e n r y is alleged to be a
citizen of New-York, and, though that fact is not distinctly admitted, I
will, for the purposes of this motion, assume that he is an alien enemy.
There are effects of both firms in this State, and a considerable amount
of debts due them. Mr. S a u l s b u r y now files his petition, praying in
90
[January,
Commercial Regulations.
effect for an order o f court, authorizing him to go on to collect the debts
due these firms, and to wind up their business, and he moves for an or
der accordingly.
There is really no necessity for any such order. When, as in this
case, a mercantile partnership has heretofore existed between one o f our
citizens and a person now an alien enemy, and there are effects o f the firm
in this State, the partnership is dissolved by the war. The rights and in
terests o f the alien enemy partner are liable to be sequestrated. But the
rights and interests o f the home partner in the effects o f the firm are not
thereby divested. He may go on to collect his debts and wind up the
business of the firm without any order o f court for that purpose. He is,
o f course, bound to account and pay over to the receiver the portion of
the effects which would otherwise go to his former partner. He should
allow the receiver access to the books of the firm, and from time to time
give him all proper information about its business.
I f he mismanages this business in any way, the court may appoint a
receiver to take possession and management o f the effects o f the firm, on
a proper showing being made. It is in this respect analogous to a case
o f dissolution of copartnership by the death or bankruptcy o f one o f the
partners. The surviving or solvent partner may go on to wind up the
business, subject to account to the assignee o f the bankrupt or the repre
sentative o f the deceased partner, and subject, too, in case o f misconduct,
to having a receiver appointed to take charge o f the business. So, in
this ease, the receiver, under the sequestration law, is the representative
o f the alien enemy partner, and the home partner is like a solvent or sur
viving partner.— Montgomery Advertiser.
THE
NEW
C
COLOMBIAN
on su late
of
the
TARIFF.
U
n it e d
S tates,
A t Colon-Aspinwall, Nov. 25, 1861.
)
j
Sir,— Gen. J o n e s , late United States Minister Resident to Bogota,
having taken leave of that capital, and Judge B u r t o n not having as yet
presented his credentials to Gen. M o s q u e r a , I have deemed it proper to
translate and forward to the Treasury Department such portions o f a
eustoms deeree, lately issued by the new government o f the United States
o f Colombia, as bear upon the commerce between the United States and
this Republic. The decree is dated October 16, 1861.
A r t . 1 0 . The following are declared ports o f importation, exportation
and deposit:
Ports of Santamarta, Cartajena, Sahanilla, Rio Hacha and Zispata on
the Atlantic.
Those of Auraca and Meta.
That of Quibdio.
That of Cucuta, on the frontier o f Venezuela.
That of Carlosama, on the frontier of Ecuador.
A r t . 1 1 . The following are declared free ports:
Those of Buenaventura, Tumaco and Iscuande, on the Pacific.
Those of the territory of Caqucta, in the State o f Cauca.
Those o f the Archipelago of San Andres, in the State of Bolivar.
1862.]
91
Commercial Regulations.
Consuls will only be admitted to ports o f exportation and importation.
A
rt.
1 4 . I m p o r t d u es w ill b e
c h a r g e d u p o n th e g r o s s w e ig h t o f th e
p a c k a g e s.
The following articles shall pay five centavos per kilogramme : Mer
chandise in bales, cases, or whatever wooden package without interior or
exterior lining or metallic covering, or which may be introduced without
covering o f any kind.
Assimilated to these, packed or unpacked, are raw provisions, steel,
unmanufactured, pitch or tar, quicksilver, copper and bronze in pigs,
copper boilers or kettles, zinc in bars, iron, manufactured, unmixed with
steel, ordinary soap in bars, machines and agricultural and artificers’ tools,
tanned hides and skins, lead, manufactured and unmanufactured, powder,
window glass, wines, in pipes and barrels, sheet zinc, sheet tin, China
ware in crates.
Merchandise, not comprehended in the above, pay 30 centavos per
kilogramme. Passengers’ baggage pay the same amount.
A rt. 16. No duties will bo paid on the following articles : Printed
books, printing paper, hard coal, ice, vessels, in pieces or complete, des
tined for the navigation of the interior or coast, live animals, foreign
legitimate coins.
A
rt.
1 8 . T h e rate o f d e p o sit
w ill b e 4 0
ce n ta v o s fo r e a ch 1 0 0 k ilo
g r a m m e s , g r o s s w e ig h t.
A r t . 1 9 . Tonnage dues on vessels that do not exceed 1 0 0 tons pay 4 0
centavos per ton ; above 1 0 0 tons, 4 0 centavos per ton for the first 1 0 0 ,
and 20 centavos for each additional ton.
A rt. 21. Tonnage dues must be paid in all ports, including the free
ports. "Vessels which contract to carry, regularly and gratuitously, the
correspondence of the Republic, are excepted from tonnage dues.
A rt. 24. Export duties will be paid only on quinine and tobacco o f
native growth, at the rate of two centavos per kilogramme.
A r t . 2 5 . All export and import dues to be paid down, 5 0 per cent, in
treasury notes, 10 per cent, in the floating debt of the fifth class, the
balance in cash, or in floating bonds o f the sixth class, derived from back
dividends on the foreign debt.
A rt. 27. The charges for deposit to be paid in treasury bonds or cash.
This tariff goes into operation in one hundred and twenty days after
the date o f the decree.
The fines and penalties for infractions o f this decree are very severe,
but I have not time to give them in full before the steamer leaves. Ves
sels will be confiscated whose masters do not present a clearance, register
and crew list, or who omit, in the manifests, one package or more, whose
gross weight shall exceed 2 5 kilogrammes. Those who endeavor to in
troduce goods clandestinely will pay double duties. Those w'ho present
deficient manifests, or who present no manifests, will pay an additional
duty of 10 per cent., and the cargo will be examined package by package,
$ 5 0 to $ 1 ,0 0 0 fine for each other deficient paper.
Fines to the same
extent on those whose manifests enumerate more goods than are on
board, &c.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
F r a n c is W . R
Hon. Salmon P. Chase, Sec’y o f Treasury.
ic e .
92
[January,
Commercial Regulations.
REGULATIONS
IN
JAPAN.
The following interesting specimen o f Japanese-English will be accept
able to all students o f idiom, being an official order to foreign ships:
T
he
P
r o h ib it io n .
To be throwed ballast out o f all ships in this port.
To be done any remain of ships at the outside o f this port, and
To be fished and hunted in this port and shore.
1st year of banyan,
The Government
at
Nagasaky.
FOREIGN
COTTON
CLOTHS
IN
FRANCE.
The Constitutionnel publishes the following results o f the Imperial
decree, dated the 13th of February last, authorizing the importation of
foreign cotton cloths free o f duty, on consideration o f their being re
exported after having been printed at French mills. 70,000 pieces o f
unbleached cotton, of 46 yards each, have, since the publication o f the
decree, been imported into France on the conditions specified. O f these
Mulhausen received 45,000 pieces, nearly all from Switzerland, and
Rouen 25,000 from England. These calicoes cost from five cents to six
cents the metre less than French calicoes, being a difference o f 15 per
cent., which proves, says the Constitutionnel, that the negotiators o f the
treaty o f commerce with England were correct in fixing the import duty
on such articles at 15 per cent. The value o f these cotton cloths tem
porarily admitted into France is estimated at from 1,500,000 francs to
1,600,000 francs, to which the bleaching and printing is to be added, at
the rate o f from 28 to 30 centimes the metre, being an addition to the
value of about 1,300,000 francs. Thus the facility granted by the decree
of the 13th of February has been doubly beneficial to the French manu
facturers. It opened markets to them which were closed in consequence
o f the high price o f their calicoes, and enabled them to give employment
to their operatives at a moment when trade was dull, in consequence of
the political events in the United States. This result has been obtained
without injury to the French weavers. In fact, the price of French cloths
has rather increased than diminished since the decree o f the 13th of
February. On the other hand, the experience obtained has proved that
there is not an equal advantage to be obtained by the temporary admis
sion o f muslins, inasmuch as the price charged by the French manufac
turers for these articles is nearly the same as the English.
“ In a word,” concludes the Constitutionnel, “ the decree o f the 13tli
o f February, which has been in existence little more than six months, has
produced most satisfactory results, not only with respect to our foreign
relations, but with regard to our home consumption. The inquiry insti
tuted last year by the Superior Council of Trade leaves no doubt on this
head. Calicoes cannot be printed at a cheap rate except in large quan
tities. A new pattern costs a large price, and must be spread over a
large quantity of calico in order to be sold cheap. Thus, for example,
suppose a new pattern, including the price o f the drawing and of the cop
Commercial Regulations.
1862.]
93
per cylinder, costs 10,000 francs; if tlie sale does not exceed 10,000 pieces
there is an expense of one franc the piece. On the contrary, the cost is
considerably diminished if there are 20,000 or 40,000 pieces printed.
W e have, likewise, to thank the government for the decree o f the 25th
o f August last, by which woollen cloths, plain or mixed, are admitted for
printing, on condition of being re-exported.”
B y Imperial decree the custom-house o f Dieppe is open to the impor
tation of cotton yarn o f the numbers 143 and upwards o f the metrical
system, and to yarn of long wool, twist, <fcc. The ports o f Marseilles,
Bordeaux, Nantes, Havre, Rouen, and the custom-houses o f Lille, Mulliausen and Lyons are opened, like that of Baris, to the direct import o f
English and Belgium tissues taxed ad valorem. The other ports of
France, and the other custom-houses on the Belgian frontier already
opened to the transit o f merchandise not prohibited, are also to be al
lowed to receive tissues of British or Belgian origin, but only for transit,
or to be sent sealed up and by what is called acquit a caution, to one of
the custom-houses designated in the decree, and in which alone the mer
chandise can be examined and the duty be paid. In Algeria the pay
ment of import duties on Belgian or English tissues imported under the
Franco-English and the Franco-Belgian treaties can only be made in the
port o f Algiers.
WOOLLEN
GOODS
IN
FRANCE.
An Imperial decree, specifying the ports and custom-houses that are
opened for the importation of woollen and cotton goods o f all kinds, of
English or Belgian manufacture, is published in the Moniteur o f last
month.
The ports are Marseilles, Bordeaux, Nantes, Rouen, Havre,
Dieppe, Boulogne, Calais and Dunkirk ; the custom-houses are those of
Tourcoing, Roubaix, Lille, Valenciennes, Mulhausen and Lyons. The same
decree gives a list o f the articles o f English or Belgian manufacture that
can be imported only through the custom-houses inland or at seaports
regularly appointed for their introduction. The articles referred to are :
all goods paying a duty o f more than 20 francs per 100 kilogrammes;
also coaches, playing cards, chicory, roasted or ground; cutlery, skin and
leather w ork ; articles made o f horses or cows’ hair, pure or m ixed; chemi
cals, ordinary soap, drinking glasses and crystals, white and colored;
window glass, colored glass, polished or engraved; watch and optical
glasses, and all other glass wares not mentioned in this category; sea
going vessels, hulls o f seagoing vessels, river-craft, alpaca, lama and
vizogue wool and camel’s-liair yarn.
CUSTOM
HOUSES
IN
CHINA.
The system o f custom-houses under foreign inspectorship does not
conciliate general favor as its working becomes better known. Had the
treaties of Tien-tsin and Pekin concentrated foreign trade into one or
two ports, much good might have resulted to trade; but the very diffu
sion of trade secured by the treaties must prevent the success o f Lord
E l g i n ’ s scheme, for the whole line o f the coast o f China cannot be suc
cessfully watched, nor can the Chinese be prevented from receiving
[January,
Commercial Regulations.
94
foreigners at non-treaty ports, nor from smuggling themselves at all un
protected points o f a coast singularly favorable to such operations. IlongKong may be benefited by becoming more and more the resort of Chinese
traders to supply their wants, but they will inevitably engage largely in
smuggling, and will find plenty o f desperate men for the purpose. The
late affair o f the steamer C a m p a , with some sugar-laden ju n k s, is an apt
illustration of the opinion now expressed. That vessel serves as a kind
o f guarda costa to the Canton foreign custom-house. The foreign em
ployees received information o f the above boats being laden with sugarupon
which duty had not been paid, and, knowing the channels to be taken,
they sent the C a m p a down to intercept them. They met, and the Chinese,
retiring into a small bay, deliberately anchored and prepared for action.
The steamer opened fire, which was at once replied t o ; the result being
that five men, Europeans and others, were killed or wounded, and the
steamer herself, being seriously injured, was obliged to sheer off and re
turn to Canton. These are most awkward events, and affect European
prestige very seriously.— London Times.
UNITED
STATES
AMENDED
TARIFF,
DECEMBER,
1861.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the United
States o f America, in Congress assembled : That from and after the date
of the passage o f this act, in lieu o f the duties heretofore imposed by law
on articles hereinafter mentioned, there shall be levied, collected and paid
on the goods, wares and merchandise herein enumerated and provided
for, imported from foreign countries, the following duties and rates o f
duty, that is to sa y :
First.— On all teas twenty cents per pound.
Second.— On coffee, of all kinds, five cents per pound.
Third.— On all raw sugar, commonly called Muscovado or brown sugar,
and on sugars not advanced above No. 12, Dutch standard, by claying,
boiling, clarifying or other process, and on syrup o f sugar or o f sugar
cane, and on concentrated molasses, or concentrated melado, two cents
and an half per pound; and on white and clayed sugar, -when advanced be
yond the raw state, above No. 12, Dutch standard, by clarifying or other
process, and not yet refined, three cents per pou nd; on refined sugars,
whether loaf, lump, crushed or pulverized, five cents per pound; on sugars
after being refined, when they are tinctured, colored or in any other way
adulterated, and on sugar candy, eight cents per pound ; on molasses, six
cents per gallon, provided that all syrups o f sugar or o f sugar-cane, con
centrated molasses or concentrated melado entered under the name o f
molasses, or any other name than syrup of sugar or o f sugar-cane, con
centrated molasses or concentrated melado, shall be liable to forfeiture to
the United States, and the same shall be forfeited.
It will be seen that the act takes effect from the 25th December, and
that the duties will be levied on goods in warehouse and on goods which
arrive.
18 62 .]
Foreign Correspondence.
FOREIGN
95
CORRESPONDENCE
OF T H E M E R C H A N T S ’ M A G A Z IN E A N D C O M M E R C IA L R E V IE W .
L ond on , December 10, 1861.
T iie all-absorbing topic in tbis city, indeed I may say in all England,
tbis month, has been the seizure o f Messrs. M a so n and S l id e l l on board
the British mail steamer T r e n t . The Times, immediately upon the
facts being made known, took up the subject warmly and violently in
behalf of the claim that the seizure by Capt. W il k e s was a breach of
international law, and that it must be atoned for.
The subject will come up for discussion by the respective cabinets
o f the two countries; and the friends of the United States have full
confidence that the result will be honorable to both sides. It would
not do, at this early stage, to prejudge the question. Our daily and
weekly journals have taken up the question ; some conceding to the
United States the right o f seizure ; others, and the majority, against it.
For the information of your readers, I may say that the question of the
right o f search is handled by Lord B r o u g h a m , in the Edinburgh Review,
vol. 11, also in the Foreign Quarterly Review, vol. 35, and in Fraser's
Magazine, vol. 25.
The Confederate vessel H e l e n arrived at Liverpool, direct from
Charleston, South Carolina, Tuesday, November 26. There was a good
deal of excitement on ’ Change in consequence o f her arrival in the
Mersey.
She left Charleston on the evening o f the 2d of November, and Cap
tain W e st e r d o r f states that he passed safely out to sea without seeing
any o f the blockading squadron— the entrances to the port being quite
clear o f the federal fleet. The H e l e n is an American-built bark of 34
tons, an extremely handsome vessel, quite new, and a “ regular clipper,”
as her run from Charleston plainly shows. She has on board 1,100 bar
rels of rosin and 500 barrels o f spirits o f turpentine ; but just previous to
leaving Charleston she had stowed away 250 bales o f cotton, which she
was obliged to unship again, in consequence o f the determination o f the
Charleston people not to let a bale o f cotton go out o f the port.
The W est India mail steamer L a P l a t a arrived at Southampton
in November, with the families o f Messrs. M aso n and S l id e l l . S o
soon as the notice o f the arrest o f the Confederate Commissioners on
board the steamer T re n t was posted on the slate at the Liverpool Ex
change Newsroom, an unusual degree o f excitement was manifested, and,
after an earnest conversation amongst several gentlemen present, it was
resolved to call an indignation meeting of the public o f Liverpool on the
subject. A notice was accordingly placed on the slate, calling upon the
public to attend a meeting, to be held at three o’clock, in the cotton sales
room, to consider what steps should be taken with reference to this “ gross
96
Foreign Correspondence.
[January,
insult to the British flag.” The cotton sales-room was densely crowded,
hundreds being unable to obtain admission. Mr. C unard was called
upon to preside, but he declined, and so also did Mr. T orr. There were
then loud calls for Mr. Spence, a Liverpool merchant, who has published a
work on the present American conflict. Mr. Spence said he took the
chair neither with reluctance nor difficulty.
A t L l o y d ’ s, the arrival o f a Confederate war steamer at Southampton
caused much excitement, and a large increase in the future charge for
war risks on United States vessels is anticipated. The rate o f insurance
on the Canadian steamer N orth B r it a in , 30 guineas, was charged, and
for the A n g l o -S a x o n , which started subsequently for England, and was
a few days overdue, the increased rate o f 50s. was demanded.
The Confederate steamer N a s h v il l e arrived at Southampton, instead
o f trying to run the blockade o f Charleston again, as was generally sup
posed, sailed for Europe, and landed Captain N el so n and crew, twentynine in number, o f the American ship H a r v e y B ir c h , from Havre for
New-York, which vessel was brought to by the N a s h v il l e , Commander
P e g r a m , late of the United StatesNavy, on the 19 th of November. The
H a r v e y B ir c h was boarded immediately by the officers and crew o f the
N a s h v il l e , who at once ordered the captain and crew on board the
steamer. Commander P e g r a m then ordered the H a r v e y B ir c ii to be
fired, and laid alongside till she burned to the water’s edge. Capt. N e l
son immediately placed himself in communication with Capt. B r it a in ,
United States Consul at Southampton. Commander P e g r a m states that
he has no commission from the Southern government as a war steamer,
yet declares it is not a privateer. No Southern commissioners arrived by
the N a s h v il l e . The whole crew o f the H a r v e y B ir c ii , except the cap
tain, were placed in irons till the arrival at Southampton. Exhortations
were made to induce the captain and crew to take the oath to the Con
federate government. Commander P e g r a m communicated with Mr.
Y a n c e y . The N a s h v il l e would refit at Southampton.
I have before me a brief account o f three loans which have received
the guarantee of Great Britain. First, the Russian Dutch loan, which
was guaranteed in 1815, the amount being £2,083,333 (25 million
florins.) The balance o f principal was, at the end o f 1858, 1859 and
1860, £1,187,500, £1,166,666 and £1,145,833 respectively. The annual
payments out of the consolidated fund, viz., 1 per cent, to the sinking
fund, average £22,000 during those years; and the average interest
during that term, at 5 per cent., was £60,000 ; the total o f the two
items was, therefore, £82,000. Second, the Greek loan, in respect o f
which we have, up to the end of 1860, paid out of the consolidated
fund, £835,525. Twelve years ago the Greek government had repaid
£31,085, and not one farthing since! This leaves that nation our
debtor to the extent o f £804,440. Third, the Sardinian loan, in
1855 and 1856, we advanced, in full, £2,000,000; in the three years
1858, 1859 and 1860, the interest paid by Sardinia was £58,000 an
nually, at the rate of 3 per cent. Her payments to the sinking fund, up
to the end of 1860, is £101,395 ; the balance against her is £1,898,605.
W e read in the Patrie that during the 8th and' 9th November, 354
ships o f commerce entered the port o f Constantinople, the largest result
that has been obtained for fifty years. It proves the immense importance
of this port in a commercial point o f view. A great number of the ships
1862.]
91
F o r e ig n C orrespondence.
came from the Black Sea, from the Sea of Azoff, or from the Danube,
and were laden with wheat.
B y means o f the electric telegraph we received advices, on the 23d
November, from Calcutta to October 25th.
From a very useful publication, prepared by Mr. H e n r y L l o y d M o r
g a n , public accountant, wherein is furnished an analysis of the p u b l i c
income and expenditure o f Great Britain for the financial year ended
the 31st of March last, we extract the following condensed summary of the
main results. They will be found useful for reference:
Interest and management o f the national debt,..............£26,231,018
Army and navy,..................................................................
31,345,564
Collection and management o f revenue departments,..
5,679,703
Public works and buildings,..............................................
639,711
1,580,911
Salaries and expenses of public departments,...............
Justice,................................................................................
3,184,670
1,233,352
Education, science and art,...............................................
624,019
Diplomatic,.colonial and consular,..................................
Superannuations and charities,.........................................
237,418
Special and temporary ob jects,.......................................
783,702
Civil list,..............................................................................
403,160
345,771
Annuities and pensions,....................................................
Interest on loans, secret service, & c.,..............................
518,532
Civil contingencies,.............................................................
157,000
£72,964,536
The following were the fluctuations in English funds since October, 1860 :
L owest and Highest prices each
B a n k Sto c k .
Lowest. Highest.
November, 1860,..
December, “
January, 1 8 6 1,....
February, “ . . .
March,
“ ...
April,
“ ...
May,
“ ...
June,
“ ...
July,
“ ...
August,
“ ...
September, “ . . .
October,
“ ...
November, “ . . .
.
.
.
.
231
231
231
231
.
.
..
.
.
..
.
226|
232
229
228
2314
236
231
month, 1861.
C on sols.
E x c h e q u e r B il l s .
Lowest. Highest.
2354
2344
233
241
234
235
234
234
232
236
••
■■
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
233
..
.. ..
92J
93f
914
m
914
914
91f
894
.894
90
92f
92
92f
93f
944
914
924
924
924
92
92
904
93
94
93
944
..
••
••
••
••
••
..
..
..
..
..
..
••
Highest.
6 dis. par.
<<
6 “
u
10 “
2 prem
8 “
15 “
6 “
2 “
13 “
10 “
2 dis.
2 p rem
10 “
12 “
7 “
8 “
15 “
8 “
4 “
9 “
par.
10 prem. 21
“
Lowest.
A treaty o f commerce has been concluded between Turkey, England
and France, which will have great effect in promoting the agriculture and
commerce of Turkey, and her trade with the two Western Powers.
There are vast tracts of land, in many instances near the coast, which will
now probably be brought into cultivation. Under the old Turkish s y s
tem the government reserved to itself the monopoly o f the purchase of
corn, which it sought to obtain at an arbitrarily low price., for the con
sumption of Constantinople and the great cities. Land-owners, conse
quently, only sowed sufficient for their own wants, and any surplus they
had went to the government at its own price. Under the treaty conv o l . x l v i .— n o . i .
7
98
[January,
Foreign Correspondence.
eluded by Lord P o n s o n b y with the Porte, this monopoly was abolished ;
but the Turks, still anxious to keep their grain at home, insisted on an
export duty o f twelve per cent., which only had the effect of impeding
the industry o f some o f the finest grain-producing land in the world.
The new treaty, which will come into effect on the 1st o f March, 1862,
at once reduces the duty on all exports to eight per cent., which is to
be further reduced one per cent, every year till it finally ceases. To
make up what loss this may occasion to the revenue, the duty on imports,
which formerly was five per cent., is to be raised to eight.
The J e a n , of Charlestown, a sloop o f about thirty tons register, is at
present in Leith Dock, and is probably the oldest ship afloat. She came
originally into the possession o f the E l g i n family, and is, we believe, still
the property of the present noble Earl, retained as an heir-loom of the
year 1736. Previous to that period she was a Danish boat. Her tim
bers are still sound and in good condition.
The following are the rates o f discount in the principal cities of the
continent, showing a rise not only in Paris, but also in Turin :
Bank rate. Open market
Per cent.
Per cent.
Bank rate. Open market.
Per cent.
P er cent.
P a ris ,.............
Vienna,...........
B e rlin ,...........
Frankfort,. . . .
Amsterdam,. .
6
6
4
3
3
..
6
5
8
2i
Turin.................
Brussels,..........
Ham burg,........
St. Petersburg,.
6i
8t
6J
4
7
..
..
n
—
3
The successful completion o f the submarine telegraph line from Malta
to Alexandria is announced. The whole length is 1,400 miles, having
intermediate stations at Tripoli and Benghazi.
The following were the leading incidents o f the month o f November:
7. The Bank o f England reduced its minimum rate o f discount from
to 3 per cent.
8. Meeting o f proprietors o f the Great Eastern Steamship Company,
and a fresh call o f £25,000 agreed upon.
14. M. F o u l d assumed the duties o f French Minister o f Finance.
Prospectus of the “ Mercantile Joint Stock Bank” issued in L ondon ;
proposed capital, £1,000,000.
15. Payment of call o f £2,000,000 or £1,500,000 on LombardoVenetian Rail-Road shares.
16. New postal arrangements between England and France published.
The Moniteur publishes the text o f the letter o f the Emperor N a p o l e o n
relative to the finances, as well as the important report of M. F o u l d , the
new Minister of Finance. Both these documents are published in extenso
in the Times.
18. A despatch dated Turin, Nov. 16, says: “ The government has
granted the concession for the construction o f a railway from Turin to
Savona to an English company, represented by Messrs. P a t t e n , C a r g i l l ,
G r e e n f i e l d , G o m b e r t and others.”
The text of the Convention be
tween England, France and Spain, relative to the proposed intervention
in Mexico, is published.
19. Final instalment paid on the India loan of £4,000,000.
20. Prospectus o f the National Marine Insurance Company published;
capital, £1,000,000.
1862.]
99
F o r e ig n Correspondence.
21. The Times publishes a correspondence which has passed between
certain holders o f India promissory-note stock and the Bank o f England.
Holders are now permitted to obtain certificates that will enable parties
in India to receive the notes made out payable to their own order. Bank
o f France reduced its rate o f interest from 6 to 5 per cent. Advices
from Hong Kong, dated October 16, received at London.
22. News of the arrival o f a Confederate war steamer at Southampton,
and o f the capture and destruction o f a federal merchant ship ( H a r v e y
B ir c h ) off the English coast. News received o f the wreck o f the steamer
N o r t h B r ito n . Twenty per cent, premium paid at L l o y d ’ s on ship
J a m es W il s o n , out 131 days from Melbourne.
24. Imperial decree issued at Paris abolishing the entrance fee to the
Bourse. Bank of Turin reduced its rate o f discount from 6£ to 5-)-.
25. Adjudication o f the Cape Government six per cent, loan of
£200,000. Rise of £ 5 per ton in the London market price o f copper.
Stoppage o f Messrs. F r o m e , G r e g o r y <fc Co., St. Petersburg, and o f
Messrs. B onoliel B r o t h e r s .
26. Baron T e c c o , Italian Minister at Madrid, received his passports.
27. Arrival o f the mail steamer L a P l a t a at Southampton, with
news o f arrest o f Messrs. M a so n and S l id e l l . Great fall in the market
values o f shares.
28. P e t e r M o r r is o n , of the Bank of Deposit, London, declared a
bankrupt. Stoppage of T h e o d o re J asm u n d .
29. Announcement that the law officers o f the Crown have pronounced
the arrest o f M ason and S l id e l l contrary to law. Dividend o f the Bank
o f British North America, at the rate o f six per cent, per annum. One
per cent, war risk, Liverpool to New-York, charged and paid at L l o y d ’ s .
30. Queen’s proclamation forbidding the export of gunpowder, salt
petre, nitrate o f soda and brimstone.
The following are the arrivals and stocks and sales o f cotton at Havre
for five years:
Bales.
1857,
1858,
1859,
1860,
1861,
Stock,
Jan . 1,
.......................
4 6 ,8 0 0
.......................
8 2 ,0 0 0
....................... 1 3 6 ,0 0 0
.......................
4 5 ,1 3 0
....................... 105 ,0 2 1
Receipts,
10 mos.
..
..
..
..
..
3 8 4 ,4 7 0
3.59,722
3 0 2 ,4 0 0
5 5 6 ,0 0 0
5 4 4 ,0 0 0
Sales,
10 mos._
..
3 6 0 ,3 4 0
'3 9 9 ,0 2 2
. . 3 9 8 ,8 9 0
. . 4 7 7 ,4 8 0
. . 4 9 1 ,0 7 5
Stock,
Oct. 81.
. . 7 0 ,9 3 0
..
4 3 ,3 0 0
. . 4 0 ,2 0 0
. . 1 2 3 ,6 5 0
. . 15 7 ,9 8 5
Among the recent European failures are Messrs. B o n o l i e l B r o t h e r s ,
merchants, of London and Gibraltar, a firm o f long standing; liabilities,
£10,000. T h e o d o r e J a s m u n d , W est India merchant, Basinghall-street.
Messrs. F r o m e , G r e g o r y & Co., iron and machine agents, St. Peters
burg ; liabilities, £200,000. A r n o t t B r o t h e r s , silk mercers, St. Paul’s
Churchyard, London ; liabilities, £20,000. Messrs. B r o a d f o o t , D o u g
l a s & Co., shawl manufacturers, Glasgow; liabilities, £ 4 0 ,0 0 0 .
The mercantile public have noticed, with great satisfaction, that the
United Kingdom Electric Telegraph Company have this week opened
their wires at the uniform rate o f Is. per message o f twenty words be
tween London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. A message can
now be sent from London to Liverpool at the remarkably low charge o f
Is. for twenty words.
100
[January,
C o m m ercia l C h ron icle a n d Review.
COMMERCIAL
CHRONICLE
AND
REVIEW.
T h e month of December has been full o f excitement among the com
mercial community. The case o f Messrs. J a m e s M. M a s o n and J o h n
S l i d e l l is now the chief topic o f discussion in England and the United
States. The English, through their journals, except to the seizure of
these rebel commissioners on board the British mail steamer T r e n t , on
the 8th ultimo, by Commodore W i l k e s . The subject is one that must
be governed by the existing rules o f international law ; and these being,
apparently, in favor o f the course pursued by Commodore W i l k e s , our
merchants are, with few or no exceptions, opposed to any concession by
our government that is not strictly demanded by a fair interpretation of
such law.
Congress met on the 2d day of December. The President’s message
was communicated the following d a y ; a document which gives universal
satisfaction to the country. Among the chief subjects of discussion at
the present session will be— I. The government debt and fiscal movements.
II. A modification o f the tariff, so as to place higher duties upon tea and
coffee. III. A general bankrupt law, retrospective and prospective.
Secretary C h a s e recommends “ that the duties on tea, coffee and su
gar be increased to the rates heretofore proposed ; that is to say, to two
and one-half cents per pound on brown sugar; to three cents on clayed
sugar; to twenty cents per pound on green tea, and to five cents per
pound on coffee; and that no other alterations of the tariff be made dur
ing the present session of Congress, unless further experience or changed
circumstances shall demonstrate the necessity or expediency o f them. All
considerations of prudence and patriotism seem to concur in favor of
giving to the existing tariff a full and fair trial, and of reserving the work
o f revision, modification and permanent settlement for more propitious
days.”
W ith the aid o f the tax upon property and upon incomes, and further
negotiation of public loans, the Secretary thinks the requisite funds for
the government expenses can be secured. He proposes a tax upon bank
notes, or that banks be authorized to issue paper upon the deposit of
United States securities. Should these form a material portion of the
bank circulation o f the country, and be made a legal tender in all trans
actions, the reform will be a desirable one. It is conceded, however, in
the outset, that the volume o f circulation shall not be increased beyond
its present sum in the aggregate.
O f the public debt the Secretary gives the following summary:
“ The whole amount required from loans may, therefore, be thus
stated:
For the fiscal year 1862, under existing laws,........................
For the fiscal year 1862, under laws to be enacted,.............
For the fiscal year 1863, also under laws to be enacted,. . .
Making an aggregate o f......................................................
$ 75,449,675
200,000,000
373,531,245
$ 654,980,920
1862.]
C o m m ercia l C h ron icle a n d R e v iew .
101
“ The total may be stated in round numbers at six hundred and fifty-five
millions o f dollars. A tabular statement will accompany this report,
showing somewhat more in detail the actual and estimated receipts and
expenditures of the financial years 1861, 1862 and 1863.
“ It only remains, in order to complete the view of the financial situa
tion, to submit a statement of the public debt as it was on the 1st day of
July, 1860 and 1861, and will be, according to the estimates now pre
sented, at the same date in each o f the years 1862 and 1863. The state
ment, in brief, is as follow s:
“ On the 1st of July, 1860,
1861,
1862,
1863,
the
the
the
the
public
public
public
public
debt was............. $64,769,703
debt was.............
90,867,828
debt will b e . . . . 517,372,802
debt will b e . . . . 897,372,802
“ The particulars o f which the debt consists, and the portions which
have been or will be paid or contracted in each year, will appear fully
in a table which will be submitted with this report to Congress. An
other table will be submitted, showing the amount of the public debt in
each year, from 1791 to 1861, inclusive.”
A t the meeting of the associated banks, held December 17, at the
American Exchange Bank, Mr. J o h n A. S t e v e n s presiding, the follow
ing resolutions were offered by Mr. M o s e s T a y l o r , and unanimously
adopted:
Whereas, The public mind has become unduly agitated in regard to
the financial course to be pursued by the banks and the United States
government, which has led to a premature discussion o f a suspension
of specie payments ; and
Whereas, An examination into the condition o f the specie of the
country has resulted in the belief that we now hold $80,000,000 of bul
lion more than we held a year ago, o f which a fair proportion is in the
banks; and
Whereas, The exports of cereals and provisions have so far exceeded
those of former years, that, notwithstanding the loss o f the cotton crop,
our exports far exceed our importations, and there is no demand for for
eign exchange to warrant considerable shipment o f coin ; and
Whereas, The pending difference with Great Britain will probably
prove to be capable of a diplomatic solution through the ordinary chan
nels or by arbitration, and fears on this score are premature and ground
less; and
Whereas, There is nothing in the position o f the loans to the govern
ment to cause uneasiness, and the entire arrears due upon them from the
banks o f this city (a considerable part o f which is to be reimbursed) do
not exceed $31,500,000, provided the Secretary, in his drafts therefor,
will consult their wishes, which may be expected from him, from motives
of interest and policy, as well as from his promises; and
Whereas, Independently of all these considerations, it is not only un
becoming, but bad faith, for fiduciary agents to refuse the just demands
o f depositors, unless for clear cause and manifest necessity, and nothing
but an entire want o f public confidence or great national considera
tions, rendering it impossible to comply with all engagements, can ever
justify such refusal; therefore; be it
Resolved, That the New-York banks, with assurances from the repre
102
C om m ercia l C h ro n icle a n d R e v ie w .
[January,
sentatives of banks in Boston and Philadelphia o f their co-operation, see
no reason, justification or necessity for a suspension o f specie payments
under the existing state of their relations with the banks o f this country,
the United States government and Europe. Belying, therefore, confi
dently on the harmonious action of the government, on the continued
confidence of their depositors, and on the patriotism of the people, they
will maintain specie payments.”
Notwithstanding these views, the banks, on the 28th, concluded to
suspend specie payment, in view o f the heavy withdrawals o f coin.
President L i n c o l n , in his annual message, urges the construction o f a
national rail-road:
“ I deem it of importance that the loyal regions o f East Tennessee and
Western North Carolina should be connected with Kentucky and other
faithful parts o f the Union by rail-road. I therefore recommend, as a
military measure, that Congress provide for the construction of such a
road as speedily as possible. Kentucky, no doubt, will co-operate, and,
through her legislature, make the most judicious selection o f a line.
The northern terminus must connect with some existing rail-road; and
whether the route shall be from Lexington or Nicholasville to the Cum
berland Gap, or from Lebanon to the Tennessee line, in the direction of
Knoxville, or on some still different line, can easily be determined.
Kentucky and the general government co-operating, the work can be
completed in a very short tim e; and when done, it will be not only o f vast
present usefulness, but also a valuable permanent improvement, worth its
cost in all the future.”
A t the December meeting o f the New-York Chamber o f Commerce a
proposition was brought forward for a memorial to Congress, urging the
construction of a double-track rail-road between Washington and NewYork, as a military, postal and commercial desideratum. Such a road,
in time o f war, would meet the government demands for transportation of
men and military stores.
The Secretary o f the Interior reports, that by an order of last May the
execution of the law for the suppression of the slave trade was confided
to that department. The Secretary convened the marshals o f all the
loyal Atlantic States at New-York, and explained to them all the devices
o f the traffic. The result o f this energy has been the capture and con
demnation of five vessels. One person has been convicted as the captain
of a slaver, and sentenced to death, the first instance o f a capital convic
tion on record; and another has been found guilty for fitting out a slaver
at Boston. Within a little more than a year, 4,500 Africans, recaptured
by our cruisers, have been taken into the Republic o f Liberia, through the
agency o f the American Colonization Society.
Letters from Brazil state that commercial matters at Rio Janeiro have
assumed a new aspect. It is stated that Minister W e b b , immediately on
his arrival there, instructed the consuls at that port and the eight other
ports under his jurisdiction, to give notice to all concerned, on their arri
val, that upon the display of a Confederate flag from any part o f an
American ship, the master would be instantly removed and the vessel be
placed under the command o f the first officer, or some other suitable per
son, and be sent home to her owners; that she will be treated in all re
spects as if retaken from her captors, her voyage be considered as termi
nated, and sent home, as the readiest way o f restoring to loyal Ameri
1862.]
C om m ercia l C h ro n icle a n d R e v ie w .
103
can citizens their property recaptured from the Confederates who may
have had possession o f her. This vigorous and determined policy
checked the evil at once in Rio, and frightened the secession masters out
o f their demonstrations.
The Secretary of the Treasury has issued instructions in regard to se
curing and disposing of the property of the Confederates found or
brought within the territory now or hereafter occupied by the United
States forces in the disloyal States. Agents are to be appointed to reside
at such places, whose duty it will be to provide and prepare for market
all products o f the soil, &c., &c., o f which a record is to be made. The
cotton and other articles, when prepared for market, shall be shipped to Ne wYork, and, so far as practicable, by the returning government transports,
and all shipments shall be consigned to the designated agent at NewYork, unless otherwise specially directed by the Secretary o f the Treas
ury. A carefully detailed account will be kept by the agent of all sup
plies furnished by the government and of all expenditures made. Each
agent will transmit a weekly report o f his proceedings to the Secretary
of the Treasury, and render his account in duplicate monthly for settle
ment. All requisitions, bills o f lading and invoices will be counter
signed by the military commander, or by such officer as he may desig
nate for the purpose. Each agent will so transact his business and keep
his accounts that as little injury as possible may accrue to private citizens
who may maintain, or may, within reasonable time, resume the character
o f loyal citizens o f the United States.
An unusual feat in rail-road transportation was lately accomplished on
some Western roads, v iz .: The Third Michigan Regiment, Col. K e l l o g g ,
travelled the entire distance from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Alton, Illi
nois, a distance of 750 miles, without change o f cars. This was overthe fol
lowing routes : the Detroit and Milwaukie, from Grand Rapids to D etroit;
thence to Adrian by the Detroit and Toledo ; thence to Chicago by the
Michigan Southern ; thence to Mattoon by the Illinois Central; thence
to Alton by the Terre Haute and Alton Road.
The canals o f the State o f New-York were closed the first week in
December. The tolls show an increase o f $897,338.
Total receipts for November, 1861,.....................................
“
“
“
1860,.....................................
$ 628,854 46
411,559 45
Increase,.....................................................
$ 217,295 01
Tolls received from May 1st, to Dec. 1st, 1861,...................
“
“
April 25th to Dec. 17th, 1860,.............
Total increase,.............................................
$ 3,902,700
3,005,362
$897,338
The total amount o f tolls received during the season o f 1861 exceeds
that o f 1847 by more than two hundred and sixty seven thousand dol
lars, while the rates o f 1861 arc about “ sixty per cent.” less than those
o f 1847.
A marked contrast is again seen in the official exhibit o f dry goods
imported at this port for the past month, compared with former years.
In the article of wool the imports are well maintained, owing to the
wants of the army. In silks the decline is 78 per cent., compared with
104
[January,
C o m m ercia l C h ro n icle a n d R e v i e w .
November of last year. In cotton goods the decline is over sixty per
cent. In the withdrawal from the bonded warehouses there is, on the
other hand, a large increase, viz., $1,054,716 in 1861, against $235,781
in 1860 ; thus showing an aggregate upon the market, for the month, of
$3,216,194 in 1861, against $4,431,609 in 1860, and only $823,580 in
1857.
These figures show, that notwithstanding the depreciation o f the South
ern trade, heretofore enjoyed, the aggregate imports are materially above
those o f the fall o f 1857, viz.:
I mports of Foreign D ry Goods at N ew-Y ork
for the
Month of N ovember.
Entered f o r Consumption.
M anufactures of
1858.
1 85 9 .
186 0 .
W ool,....................... . . $1,052,067 . . $1,830,208 . .
Cotton,.....................
687,389
939,067 . .
Silk,......................... .
1,406,923 . .
1,019,817 . .
Flax,.........................
465,008
664,648 . .
Miscellaneous,........
265,760
858,220 . .
Total,..................... .
$ 3,490,041
$1,465,422
448,431
1,441,427
405,283
435,265
1861.
. . $1,351,293
160,602
.
314,500
.
.
258,483
.
76,600
. . $5,199,066 . . $4,195,828 . .
$2,161,478
Withdrawn fr o m Warehouse.
M a n u fa c tu r e s of
1858.
1859.
W o o l,.....................
Cotton,...................
S ilk ,.......................
Flax,.......................
Miscellaneous,. . . .
$203,011
72,653
78,766
117,901
102,151
T o ta l,.................
For consumption,..
$574,482 . .
3,490,041 . .
Total on market,
$4,064,523 . .
..
..
..
..
..
$123,385
43,090
47,650
74,563
53,693
1860.
..
..
..
..
..
$100,809
40,218
42,338
29,094
23,322
1861.
..
..
..
..
..
$397,601
163,916
347,459
100,591
45,149
$342,381 . .
5,199,066 . .
$235,781 . .
4,195,828 ..
$1,054,716
2,161,478
$5,541,447 . .
$4,431,609 . .
$3,216,194
Entered f o r Warehousing.
M an u factu res of
1858.
1859.
W o o l,.....................
Cotton,...................
S ilk ,.......................
Flax,.......................
Miscellaneous,. . . .
$117,077
200,469
95,765
55,634
49,169
T ota l,.................
For consumption,..
$518,114 . .
3,490,041 . .
Entered at port,
$4,008,155 . .
..
..
..
..
..
$348,028
349,168
150,680
80,641
97,385
1860.
..
..
..
..
..
$345,958
643,843
242,428
353,247
116,252
1861.
..
..
..
..
..
$154,447
53,202
101,191
23,913
12,695
$1,025,902 . .
5,199,066 . .
$1,601,728 . .
4,195,828 . .
$345,448
2,161,478
$ 6,224,968 . .
$5,797,556 . .
$2,506,926
Upon a review of the business for the year, o f which eleven months
have expired, we find that the imports are less than thirty per cent, of
those for the same period last year; and the quantities upon the market
are less than forty-five per cent. W oollen goods, o f this sum, are more
than one-third. Silks are largely reduced, as well as cottons. The gen
eral results are fully shown in the annexed summary:
1862.]
Imports
106
C om m ercia l C h ro n icle a n d R e v ie w .
of
Foreign Dry Goods
at ttie
P ort
of
N ew-York
for
Eleven Months.
Entered f o r Consumption.
185 8 .
M an u factu res of
1859.
186 0 .
1861.
W o o l,.....................
Cotton,...................
S ilk ,.......................
Flax,.......................
Miscellaneous,___
$15,951,589..
8,714,510 . .
16,344,300 . .
4,240,801..
3,190,458..
$31,621,415 . .
20,579,673 . .
30,038,842 . .
9,380,326..
5,294,699..
$29,297,399..
13,588,867 . .
31,761,340 . .
6,249,101..
5,725,000..
$9,619,436
3,130,269
8,000,373
1,983,376
1,856,391
T ota l,.................
$ 48,501,658..
$96,920,955..
$86,621,713..
$24,589,851
Withdrawn fr o m Warehouse.
1858.
M anufactures of
185 9 .
W o ol,.....................
$4,507,231 . .
Cotton,.......................
3,417,410. .
S ilk ,...........................
3,198,729. .
Flax,...........................
2,058,461. .
Miscellaneous,___
1,314,250..
Total................... $14,496,087..
For consumption,.. 48,501,658..
1860.
$ 2 ,8 4 9 ,2 8 3 ..
1,505,916 . .
872,496 . .
993,116 . .
4 3 7 ,6 7 5 ..
$6,65 8 ,4 8 6 ..
96,920,955..
Total on market, $ 62,991,145 . . $ 103,579,441 . .
1861.
$3,193,752 . .
2,340,171 . .
1,504,525 . .
801,461 . .
544,161 . .
$6,303,099
4,043,273
4,928,164
1,766,566
760,430
$8,38 4 ,0 7 6 ..
86,621,713 . .
$17,802,132
24,589,851
$ 95,005,189..
$42,391,983
Entered f o r Warehousing.
1858.
M an ufactures of
1859.
W o o l,.....................
$ 2 ,12 0 ,7 4 1 ..
Cotton,........................
1,927,260
S ilk ,............................
1,172,538. .
Flax,.......................
864 ,4 1 3 ..
Miscellaneous,___
584,319 . .
T ota l,.................
For consumption,..
$6,669,211 . .
48,501,658 . .
1 86 0 ,
1861.
$3,338,213 . .
$3,599,071 . .
. . 1,133,016. . 2,882,926 . .
938,224 . .
1,619,287 . .
880 ,9 3 7 ..
829,6 9 9 ..
534,013 . .
669,683 . .
$5,790,346
3,859,872
5,088,141
1,420,587
883,673
$ 7 ,4 2 4 ,4 6 3 ..
96,920,955 . .
$9,60 0 ,6 6 6 ..
86,621,713 . .
$17,042,619
24,589,851
Entered at port, $55,170,929 . . $104,345,418 . .
$96,222,379 . .
$41,632,470
In the business of imports generally we find the aggregates are above
sixty per cent., in November, of 1861, o f those o f 1860, viz., $9,639,012,
against $15,421,156 ; but for the whole year, since January 1st, the
quantities are 189 millions, against 246 millions last year, or a decline of
about 24 per cent. only. The most marked feature in this summary is the
fact that the present year, with all its curtailments o f trade, exceeds that
o f the year 1858. This is a commentary upon the statements made
abroad that the South has been heretofore the great consumer of foreign
goods. It is true that specie forms a larger portion o f the aggregate
than ever exhibited before; but, deducting the specie, we find the imports
for the present year (including withdrawals) exceed two hundred mil
lions of dollars in value.
F oreign I mports
E n tered
For consumption,..
For warehousing,..
Free goods,............
Specie and bullion,
Total entered,.. .
Withdrawn,.......
at
New-Y ork
1858.
$7,350,322
1,725,318
1,425,520
90,446
in
N ovember, 1858—1861.
1859.
..
..
..
..
186 0 .
1861.
$9,978,720...
2,794,108 ..
1,955,087 ..
161,087 ..
$ 8 ,52 5 ,4 1 6 ..
3,961,652 . .
2,487,290 . .
446,798 . .
$4,614,982
2,150,561
1,964,644
908,825
$10,591,606 . . $14,895,002 . .
2,124,655 ..
1,970,134 ..
$15,421,156 . .
1,597,301 . .
$9,639,012
1,987,626
106
[January,
Commercial Chronicle and Review .
Foreign I mports
at
N ew-York
1858.
E ntered
For consumption, .
For warehousing, .
Free goods.............
Specie and bullion,
for
Eleven Months,
1859.
from
January 1st.
1860.
1861.
$93,167,226 . . $163,721,999 . . $149,286,252 . .
24,115,146..
33,340,134..
39,175,038..
20,039,083 . .
26,573,198 . .
25,867,868 . .
2,200,987..
2,631,787..
2,678,269 . .
$49,911,475
38,725,841
27,779,670
36,734,883
Total entered, . . $139,522,442 . . $226,267,118 . . $217,007,427 . . $153,151,869
Withdrawn, . . .
35,684,657 . . 25,016,335 . .
29,857,721 . .
86,055,372
It is in the foreign export trade for the past month, and for the eleven
months of the year, that the real importance of New-York exhibits itself.
Boston and Philadelphia participate, o f course, in this enlargement of ex
port, now mainly in cereals and provisions.
If to these had been added cotton, the export trade o f the Union would
have been a surprise to the commercial world. As it is, however, with
out the aid of King Cotton, the exports o f New-York for eleven months
have been beyond 124 millions o f dollars in value, besides specie. For
the month of November the exports exceeded fourteen and a half millions,
equal to an annual aggregate of 175 millions.
W e find the exports of domestic produce in November have been ab
solutely enormous, the total being a very large gain upon any month of
any year in our history. The total for the same month of last year was
then one million in excess of any previous m onth; and it was thought
that the figures then reached ($11,747,086, exclusive o f specie) would
stand at the head for some time to come. It has been exceeded, how
ever, several times during the year 1861, but the last month is distin
guished by nearly one and a half millions over any month’s export since
New-York was settled.
Exports
from
New-Y ork
to
Foreign Ports
185 8 .
Domestic produce,
For. mdse., (free,)..
For. mdse., (dut.,)..
Specie and bullion,
$3,481,654 . .
129,671 . .
2 5 4 ,3 1 0 ..
4 7 1 ,9 7 0 ..
Total exports,. .
Total, ex. specie,
$4,337,605..
3,865,635 . .
E xports
from
Month
of
November.
1860.
1861.
$5,323,611 . . $11,262,701.. $14,109,763
177,288..
84,167 . .
41,973
6 3 9 ,5 3 8 ..
400,218 . .
377,170
4,3 83 ,1 2 3 ..
525,091 . .
48,385
$10,523,560..
6,140,437 . .
New-York to Foreign Ports
1858.
for the
1 85 9 .
for
1859.
$12,272,177.. $14,577,291
11,747,086 . .
14,528,906
E leven Months,
1860.
from
January 1.
1861.
Domestic produce, $50,249,635 . . $53,547,359.. $84,857,351 . . $ 117,574,551
For. mdse., (free,)..
1,416,295..
2,758,045..
2,161,469..
2,079,473
For.m dse.,(dut„)..
3 ,600,167..
4,569,646..
4,931,696..
4,709,445
Specie and bullion,
24,103,223..
67,653,737..
41,988,770..
3,343,237
Total exports,.. $79,369,320 . . $128,528,787 . . $133,939,286 . . $127,706,706
Total, ex. specie,
55,266,097 . .
60,875,050 . .
91,950,516 . . 124,363,469
The changes in the tariff of August,'ll 801, are beginning to he seen in
the receipts for customs. The dutiable imports on the market in Novem
ber, amounting to only $6,602,608, produced $56,636 more revenue than
$10,122,717 of dutiable imports thrown on the market in November,
1860. The custom-house did not avail itself of the duties on the stocks
o f tea and coffee in bond last July. These have been since placed on the
market without any additional revenue to the government. From this
1862.]
lOt
C o m m ercia l C h ro n icle a n d R e v ie w .
time the revenue from these will he large.
receipts since January 1st:
C ash
D uties R eceived
185 8 .
First six m onths,. .
In J u l y ,..................
In A u g u st,..............
In S eptem ber,____
In O c to b e r,...........
In N o v e m b e r,____
$ 1 1 ,0 8 9 ,1 1 2
3 ,3 8 7,30 5
3 ,5 4 5 ,1 1 9
2 ,6 7 2/93 5
2 ,0 5 4 ,8 3 4
1,7 0 6,52 9
at
The following will show the
New-Y ork,
185 9 .
..
..
..
..
..
..
Total, 11 months, $ 24,4 5 5 ,8 3 4 . .
1 8 5 8 -1 8 6 1 .
1 86 0 .
$ 1 9 ,5 1 2 ,1 8 1
4 ,8 5 1 ,2 4 6
4 ,2 4 3 ,0 1 0
2 ,9 0 8,50 9
2 ,3 1 8 ,7 5 0
2 ,1 5 7 ,1 5 4
..
..
..
..
..
..
$ 35,9 9 0 ,8 5 0 . .
1861.
..
..
..
..
..
..
$ 1 0 ,5 8 5 ,3 3 5
2 ,069,591
1,5 5 8,82 4
1 ,6 4 2,38 2
1 ,6 7 2 ,6 1 7
1 ,8 5 1,38 4
$ 34,8 5 5 ,0 1 8 . .
$ 1 9 ,3 8 0 ,1 3 3
$ 18,389,679
4 ,5 0 4,06 6
4 ,4 9 6,24 3
3,0 3 8,80 3
2 ,6 3 2 ,0 7 8
1,7 9 4,14 9
Included in the receipts for duties during the last month were
$126,536 35 in Treasury notes, making $8,336,007 55 paid in those
notes at this custom-house since the beginning o f the current year.
We have received this year, from California and from Europe, over
sixty-eight millions o f gold and silver, viz.:
From California.
In Ja n u a ry, ........... ...........$4,185,000
“ F ebruary,......... ...........
3,622,000
“ M arch,............... ...........
2,370,000
“ A p ril,................. ............
2,951,000
“ M a y ,.................. ...........
1,977,000
“ June,..................
“ J u ly ,....................
“ A ugust, .............. ..........
4,245,000
“ Septem ber,........ ..........
2,815,000
“ O ctober............... ........
2,980,000
“ N ovem ber,......... .........
2,584,000
$ 3 1 ,7 9 6 ,0 0 0
Total.
Foreign Imports.
$ 11,4 47 ,0 0 0
5 .8 9 6.00 0
7 .9 1 6 .0 0 0
4 ,9 0 4 ,0 0 0
5 ,4 6 3,00 0
7 ,3 9 9,00 0
9 ,0 5 1 ,0 0 0
5 ,2 9 4 ,0 0 0
4 ,0 4 6 ,0 0 0
3,6 1 9,00 0
3 ,4 9 1,00 0
$ 7 ,2 6 2 ,0 0 0
2.2 7 4.00 0
5 .5 4 6.00 0
1,9 5 3,00 0
3,4 8 6,00 0
5,3 8 7,00 0
6,9 9 6,00 0
1,0 4 9,00 0
1 ,231,000
6 39,000
907 ,00 0
..
$ 3 6 ,7 3 0 ,0 0 0
..
$ 6 8 ,5 2 6 ,0 0 0
The Board o f Fire Insurance Companies, at a meeting held on the
12th December, appointed a special committee o f five to investigate and
report upon the nature o f petroleum or rock-oil, earth oils, benzine, ben
zole and naphtha, and the oils refined from petroleum and coal-oil, with
a rate of insurance upon these articles. The committee, consisting of
Messrs. D. A. H e a l d , o f the Home Insurance Company; G e o r g e T.
H o p e , Continental Insurance Company ; E. A . S t a n s b u r y , Metropolitan
Insurance Company; H e n r y A. O a k l e y , Howard Insurance Company;
J . L. D o u g l a s s , Merchants’ Insurance Company, made their report yes
terday. The report states that petroleum, rock-oil, or earth-oil, as it is
generally received in its crude and unrefined state, is largely charged
with volatile matter, highly inflammable in its nature, and evolved ato
some extent at the usual temperature o f the atmosphere, and much more
freely by an increased degree o f heat.
The first article in the present No. (on the M a s o n and S l i d e l l affair)
was written and finished before the actual demand on the part o f Great
Britain, or the reply thereto by Secretary S e w a r d , was made known to
the public. The article, therefore, will stand as a brief confirmation o f
the views of our government.
108
The B ook
THE
BOOK
[January,
T ra d e.
TRADE,
T he “ Great Rebellion” has given rise to ample historical materials for the future.
T he future, as well as the cotem porary reader o f the history o f the United States,
must consult the works o f to-day i f he desires to make him self familiar with the
events which gave rise to the rebellion, and to the events which have followed it.
I. The R eb ellion R e c o r d : a D ia r y o f A m erica n E ven ts, w ith D ocum ents, N arra tives,
Illustra tive Incidents, A c. Edited b y Frank Moore, author o f the “ D ia r y o f the
A m erica n R e v o l u t i o n w i t h an In trod u ctory A d d ress on the causes o f the S truggle,
and the G reat Issues before the C oun try, b y E dward E verett. N ew -Y ork: G. P.
P utnam, Publisher.
T his valuable w ork has already reached the com pletion o f the first volume, containin g pp. 428 and pp. 156. The plan o f the R eb ellion R e co rd contemplates a record of
ev ery event connected w ith the political and m ilitary management o f the war. A
narrative o f each battle, and o f every movement o f the y e a r : including the corre
spondence, speeches, <fec., o f official and prominent individuals.
T he second part (156 p p.) contains rumors, incidents, <fcc., extracted from the
daily journals o f the time. The first volum e contains eleven portraits, v iz .: Presi
dent L incoln, Jefferson Davis, Governor Sprague, Secretary Cameron, Generals
A nderson, B utler, Dix , Fremont, McClellan, L yon and Scott ; also seven maps.
T he subsequent parts o f this elaborate w ork bring the history down to the month
o f August, with portraits o f Generals Banks, B eauregard, W ool, L ander, P olk
and Commodore Stringiiam.
“ The R eb ellion R ecord " is published w eekly and
m onthly. W eek ly N um bers at 10 cents; M onthly Parts, Illustrated, 50 cents.
T he Illustrations for the W eekly Nos. w ill be published in two Nos. at 30 cents
each, making the price for W eekly and M onthly editions the same, viz., $3 for
each vol. o f 24 Nos., and 2 Nos. o f Illustrations, or 6 M onthly parts.
II. The Southern R eb ellion and the W a r f o r the U n io n : a H isto ry o f the R ise and
P ro g ress o f the R eb ellion , a nd Consecutive N a rra tive o f E ven ts and Incidents, f r o m
the fir s t stages o f the T reason against the R ep u b lic. N ew -Y ork : John D. T orrey.
T his w ork differs from Mr. Moore’s in being a connected history, arranged ac
cording to the exact order o f the events. It possesses great value as a text-book
for dates o f im portant events, and furnishing materials for future history and histo
rians. It is fortunate that the times, so pregnant with events w hich w ill concern
generations and centuries to come, find thus early their reliable record, giving to
the cotem porary reader, and to our successors, a consecutive view o f the greatest
rebellion that the w orld has y et known.
W e commend the w ork to the support and favor o f every lover o f his country’s
rights and interests. It is published weekly, at 10 cents, semi-monthly, at 20 cents,
and in m onthly parts, at 40 cents.
III. Jenkins’ V est-P ock et L e x i c o n : an E n g lish D ic tio n a r y o f a ll excep t F a m ilia r
W ords.
Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co.
1861.
This is a new idea, well conceived and well executed. In a volum e o f 563 pages,
small enough for the vest pocket, are contained the principal scientific and techno
logical terms, and the titles o f foreign m oneys, w eights and measures. “ Omitting
what everybody knows, and containing what everyb ody wants to know, and cannot
readily find.” T o the general reader this vade mecum w ill furnish information
which lie m ay in vain look for in the elaborate encyclopedias and dictionaries o f the
day. F or instance, the terms used in Architecture, A stronom y, Natural H istory,
Ship-Building, Chemistry, <tc., are here briefly given, in the smallest possible com
pass.
1862.]
The B ook
T ra d e.
109
IY . A M em oir o f the H on . N athan A ppleton, X X . D ., p rep a red agreeably to a reso
lu tion o f the M assachusetts H istorica l S ociety. B y Kobert C. W inthrop. W ith a
portrait, an introduction and an appendix. 8vo., pp. 78. John W ilson & S on,
Boston.
In addition to Mr. W ixthrop’s M emoir, this pamphlet contains the proceedings o f
the Massachusetts H istorical Society on the occasion o f the death o f this distinguished
gentleman. A lso the remarks o f John A . L owell, J. T. Stevenson, Edward E ve
rett and ex-Governor L incoln, with the proceedings and resolutions o f the Massachu
setts Hospital Life Insurance Company, the Merrimac Manufacturing Company, the
Boston Banks, the Stark Mills Corporation and the Am erican Antiquarian Society.
Y . Carthage and her R e m a in s : being a n account o f the E xca va tion s and R esearches
on the Site o f the P hoenician M etrop olis in A fr ic a , and other adjacent p la ces.
Conducted under the auspices o f H er B r ita n n ic M a jesty1s Governm ent. B y Dr. N.
Davis, F. R. G. S. W ith illustrations. 8vo., pp. 504. Harper & Brothers.
Dr. D avis attempts to identify Carthage with the Tarshish o f the sacred writers.
There are in the volume thirty-three superior illustrations to represent Carthage,
its harbors, cape, ruins, the p ort o f U tica, & c. From the whole nature and extent
o f the ruins, it is clear that Utica was a c ity o f great importance. Utica, at one
time the ally o f Carthage, became noted for “ her uniform faithlessness, her treach
ery and her perfidy,” and through her treachery contributed to the fall o f C arthage;
and thus became, with the aid o f Rome, the m etropolis o f Africa.
W as it not Dido w ho once, w ith a w illow in her hand, bade
“ her love
T o come again to Carthage ?”
V I. M ed ical Jurisprudence. B y A lfred Swaine T aylor, M. D., F. R. S., Fellow o f
the R oyal College o f P hysicians; Hon. M. D. Univ. St. Andrews ; Member o f the
R oyal College o f Surgeons, and Professor o f M edical Jurisprudence and Chemistry
in Guy’s Hospital. Fifth Am erican, from the seventh and revised London edition.
E dited, with additions, b y Edward H artshorn, M. D ., one o f the Surgeons to the
Pennsylvania Hospital. Philadelphia: B lanchard & L ea, 1861. 8vo., pp. 714.
M edical works rarely come under our criticism ; y et we v e ry m uch doubt whether
merchants and scientific physicians w ould not both alike be benefited b y a m ore ex
tensive acquaintance w ith the scientific researches o f each other. H ow ever this
m ay be in general, there can be no question that an extensive acquaintance with
the subject-matter o f T aylor’ s M ed ical Jurisprudence w ould be o f immense advan
tage to the mercantile community. F ew books have better proven their utility than
the one under consideration. “ T he sixth and seventh editions o f this work having
been published in London since the issue o f the last A m erican edition, have enabled
the (Am erican) author to bestow on it tw o careful revisions. T he well-known ability
and industry o f Dr. T aylor are sufficient guarantee that he has made full use o f
these opportunities to introduce in them the latest results o f legal and scientific in
vestigations.” W hatever the safeguards o f judicial enactments, almost daily occur
rences make us painfully aware o f the necessity o f m ore extended information on
the means o f detecting criminal causes o f disease and death. In the work before
us, scientific medicine is disentangled from the web with w hich w orldly caprice,
credulity and empiricism are ever seeking, to invest it, and lucidly applied to the
construction, elucidation and administration o f the laws for the protection o f human
society and life. T o this end, p oison s, wounds, in fa n ticid e, crim ina l abortions, con
cealm ent o f birth, legitim acy, p a tern ity , <tc., <fce., drowning, hanging, stra ngulation ,
ligh tnin g, cold, starvation, and finally in sa n ity, are all clearly treated in their m edico
legal bearings, with an ability w hich commends the book to all persons who desire
information on the subjects treated of. S uicid al m ania, and the bearings o f suicide
on life insurance, are especially w orthy o f the attention o f life insurance companies
and their patrons. T he “ getting up” o f the book is w orthy o f the matter— hand
some and well printed, w ith a full table o f contents and a copious index.
Messrs. R obert Carter & Bros., N o . 530 Broadway, have issued quite a number
o f interesting volumes for youn g readers. A m ong these are— 1. E n g lish Yeom en,
a high ly entertaining volume.
2. P r id e and his P rison ers. B y the authoress o f
“ C larem ont T a l e s w ith numerous engravings.
3. Harry D angerfield, the
P oa ch er. B y the same authoress. 4. The C h ie fs D a u g h te r ; or, D a y-b rea k in
B rita in . B y the same authoress.
110
T h e B o o k T ra d e.
[J a n u a r y , 1 8 6 2 .
Messrs. Carlton
Porter, 200 M ulberry-street, have issued the follow in g in
teresting volumes, in sets, with copious illustrations, neatly hound and put up in
paper cases, o f eight or ten volum es:
1st set. A u n tie R a y’s L ittle Library. Containing ten volumes. A rch ie’s Fourth
o f J u ly ; Lottie and Jen nie; T he Fish-hooks; Grace, and her M oney-B ox; Old
Granny T ift; E va and the F airy T a le ; L u cy and B e ll; Bessie and her L a m b ;
W innie and his P ets; Frank and Joey.
2. A u n t A lice’s Library. Containing ten volumes. “ L ion ” and the L a m b ; Miss
A lice’s Story ; L ittle F ris k y ; Getting Kich ; H ard things are g ood for fo lk s ; M y
Little S iste r; Stick to i t ; A rthur’s visit to Grandpa’s ; W hat made little M ollie so
happy ; T he Little Prayer.
3. Cousin A n n a ’s Library. Containing eight pocket volumes. Tom , the Oyster
B o y ; W illie and C lara; F reddy’s fifth B irth d a y ; T w o boys side b y side ; M y first
Sunday S c h o o l; Sunday Evening R ead in gs; Coney and A n d y ; H arry Perry.
4. Meadowside Stories. Beautifully illustrated; eight volumes.
M eadow side;
Sally G rafton; T he B o o k ; Faithful L in a ; Katie and her M oth er; V ic t o r ; G ood
D aughters; A nton, the Peasant B oy.
Coffee and Sugar M onthly Circular. B y H. E. Moring, N ew -York. Mr. Moring
has, for some years, published a m onthly circular for private circulation, showing
the im ports, stock and distribution o f Coffee and Sugar in Europe and the United
States. H e has now comm enced the w ork in a m ore permanent form, to be issued
on the fourth day o f each month, at a moderate annual subscription. W e extract
some o f the tables for our present N o., pp. 44— 47. Those merchants who are in
terested in these articles should order the m onthly circular direct from Mr. Moring.
Steel P la te Engravings.— J. C. B uttre, 48 Franklin-street, New -York, has pub
lished the following thirty Portraits, beautifully engraved on steel, and printed on
plate paper, 10 x 12 in ch e s: A rm y P ortraits. Lieut. Gen. W infield Scott ; Maj.
Gen. Geo. B. McClellan; Maj. Gen. N . P. Banks; Maj. Gen. John E. W ool; Maj.
Gen. J. C. Fremont ; Brig. Gen. F. Siegel ; CoL E. E. E llsworth ; Maj. Gen. B.
F. B utler; Maj. Gen. John A. D i x ; B rig, Gen. Natii. L yon; B rig. Gen. R obert
A nderson ; Governor Sprague, o f R hode Island ; Simon Cameron, Secretary o f W a r ;
Brig. Gen. W . S. R osecrans; B rig. Gen. J. K. F. Mansfield; Brig. Gen. I rwin
McDowell; Brig. Gen. A mbrose E. B urnside; Maj. Gen. Louis Blenker; Brig.
Gen. S. P. H eintzelman ; B rig. Gen. L ander ; Col. James A. Mulligan; Col. Michael
Coecoran ; Col. R ush C. Hawkins ; Col. T homas F rancis Meagher ; Col. H enry
W ilson, o f M assachusetts; M ajor Slemmer ; Maj. Gen. D avid H unter; Brig. Gen.
McCall; Col. E. D. B aker; Maj. Gen. H enry W . H alleck.
Newspaper Statistics o f Great Britain.— From the “ Newspaper Press D irectory
for 1861” we extract the follow ing on the present position o f the newspaper press:
There are now published in the United K ingdom 1,102 newspapers, distributed as
follow s: England, 791; W ales, 28: Scotland, 138; Ireland, 132; British Isles, 13.
O f these, there are— 39 daily papers published in England, 8 in Scotland, 12 in Ire
land, and 2 in the British Isles. On reference to preceding editions o f this useful
D irectory, we find the follow ing interesting facts, v iz .: that in 1821 there were
published in the United K ingdom 267 journals; in 1831, 293; in 1841, 47 2; and in
1851, 563; bu t in 1861 there are now established and circulated 1,102 papers, show
ing that an extraordinary impulse has been given to every description o f newspaper
enterprise. T he magazines now in course o f publication, including the quarterly
reviews, number 481, o f which no less than 207 are o f a decidedly religious charac
ter. A m on g these, the Church o f England has its special org a n s; and the W esleyans, Prim itive Methodists, Baptists, Independents and other Christian communities,
are fully represented in this branch o f literature.— L it. Gazette.
T he rapid rise o f the newspaper press o f Paris w ill be best appreciated if we
tabularize the number o f stamps issued, as has been already done for the British
new spapers:
Years.
No. of Stamps.
No. o f Stamps,
Years.
1844,................ ................62,000,000
1828,..............
1845,............... ................65,000,000
1836...............
1846,................
1843.................
THE
MERCHANTS’ MAGAZINE
AND
COMMERCIAL
REVIEW.
E stab lish ed J u ly , 1 8 3 9 .
E D IT E D B Y
I . S M IT H n O M A N S , (S E C R E T A R Y O F T H E C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E O F T H E S T A T E O F N E W - Y O R K ,)
A N D W IL L IA M
VOLUME X L Y I.
JA N U A R Y ,
CONTENTS
A
r t
.
B . D A N A , ATTO RN EY A T L A W .
OF
No.
1862.
I.,
VOL.
NUMBER I.
XLVI.
page
I.
IN T E R N A T IO N A L L A W v s . T H E T R E N T A N D SA N J A C IN T O .— Facts as to
Sailing and Arrest o f Messrs. M a s o n and S l i d e l l —Principles m ore Satisfactory
A uthority than Precedents—N atural Justice the Foundation o f International Law —
T h e R ight o f Self-D efence and the D uty ^ N e u t r a ls not to benefit either Belligerent
naturally flow from it—T h e subject o f Contraband o f W ar a necessary conclusion—
T h e R igh t o f V isit and Search, in tim e o f W ar, clearly follow s—The act o f the Cap
tain o f the T r e n t in allow ing Messrs. M a s o n and S l i d e l l to take passage on his
vessel a gross violation o f the above principles— Still their rem oval by Captain
W i l k e s was w ron g—W e must deliver them u p to England i f she properly demands
it o f us—W e ow e it to ourselves not to allow such a case to stand as a Precedent—
E n gland should be called upon to m ake reparation for the act o f the Captain o f the
T r e n t in allow ing these Com m issioners to take passage on his vessel, & c .,................
1
II.
S U R V E Y O F T H E IST H M U S O F D A R IE N .— R eport by E. C u l l e n , M . D ., M . R .
C . S . E . , ................................................................................................................................................ 14
III.
T H E C O M M E R C IA L PR O G R E SS O F F O U R C E N T U R IE S .— Chronological Sketch
o f the L ea din g Com m ercial E vents o f the Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteeenth
and N ineteenth C en turies,............................................................................................................ 17
I V . C H A M B E R S O F CO M M E R C E A N D B O A R D S O F T R A D E .—1. M em orial o f the
N e w -Y o r k Chamber o f Com m erce on Steam V essels from California to China. 2.
M em orial on Coinage at N e w -Y o rk . 3. R ail-R oad from N e w -Y o rk to W ashington.
4. T h e N autical School. 5. M em orial for Governm ent V essels to protect A m erican
C om m erce,..........................................................................................................................................
34
V . T H E C O F F E E A N D S U G A R T R A D E O F T n E U N IT E D S T A T E S .— Monthly
Circular, show ing the Stock, R eceipts and Consum ption o f Coffee and Sugar at the
principal ports o f the U nited States o f A m erica and Europe, D ecem ber, 1858—1861,
44
V I . S T A TIS TIC S O F P O P U L A T IO N .— 1. Em igration. 2. Irish Census o f 1861. 3.
P opulation o f the U nited K ingd om . 4. D rinking and Pauperism in Ireland. 5.
E m ploym ent o f W om en. 6 . Effeet o f E m igration and o f W ar. 7. Cities o f the
M issouri R iv e r ,..................................................................................................................................
48
1862 .
C on ten ts o f J a n u a r y N o . ,
112
V I I . T H E A R T IC E X P E D I T I O N O F I860.— Official A ccou n t o f the recent V o y a g e o f the
U nited States, in the E x p lorin g Schooner U n i t e d S t a t e s , b y Dr. H a y e s , ................ 55
V I I I . t h e p r o g r e s s o f O C E A N T E L E G R A P H S ,..................................................................
I X . T H E C O TT O N Q U E STIO N .— 1. F la x Cotton.
A m erica. 4. Indian Cotton.
F la x Cotton and F la x W o o l.
JOURNAL
OF
2. Jam aica Cotton.
5. Bread vs. Cotton. 6 . F la x Cotton in Iow a. 7.
Perennial Cotton. 9. Portuguese C o tto n ,..............
8.
NAUTICAL
61
3. Central
62
INTELLIGENCE.
1. S cience and the M ercantile Marine. 2. Ship-B uilding on the M ersey. 3. Steamships on the
Clyde. 4. British M ercantile Steam F leet. 5. Transatlantic Steamers. 6 . R ecovery o f
Sunken Vessels.
7. T he Late Gales.
8.
A n Old Ship-Master.
9. T he E nglish M ercantile
M arine F u n d ,....................................................................................................................................................
RAIL-ROAD
AND
STEAMBOAT
STATISTICS.
1. T h e R ail-R oads o f Connecticut. 2. R a il-R oad from N e w -T o r k to W ashington. 3. N ew Y o r k Central R ail-R oad. 4. Spanish Railways. 5. T h e Last o f the Coaches. 6 . Railways
in England. 7. T h e First Steam boat. 8 . A N ew Ferry to Jersey City,.......................................
POSTAL
OF T R A D E
AND
77
COMMERCE.
1. C hicago Trade, 1861. 2. D em and for Sugar and Molasses. 3. Philadelphia Trade. 4. T he
O pium Shops. 5. Shipping in M ontreal. 6 . F ictitious W ines. 7. A m erican Steamers in
China. 8 . T h e N utm eg Disease. 9. Im ports o f Cotton at Bremen. 10. T h e Silk Trade o f
England. 11. Peruvian G u a n o,.................................................................................................................
COMMERCIAL
78
STATISTICS.
1. Annual Report o f the Postm aster-G eneral, U . S., 1S61. 2. T h e French Mails. 3. British
M ails to India and China. 4. T h e Australian Mails. 5. British Subsidies. 6 . TIi c C unard
8 teamers.
7. D ead Letters. 8 . Postage to Italy. 9. The British A d m iralty,........................
STATISTICS
68
82
REGULATIONS.
1. Treasury D ecisions— Lithographic H andbills—W oollen Jackets— D uty on Cigars. 2. A
Bankrupt Law Proposed. 3. T h e Sequestration A ct at the South. 4. The N ew Colom bian
Tariff. 5. Regulations in Japan. 6 . Foreign Cotton Cloths in France. 7. Foreign W oollen
G oods in France. 8 . Custom -H ouses in China. 9. T he U nited States Tariff o f D ecem ber,
1861,.....................................................................................................................................................................
87
F O R E I G N C O R R E S P O N D E N C E OF T H E M E R C H A N T S ’ M A G A Z I N E .
1. T h e Arrest o f Messrs. M a s o n and S l i d e l l . 2. Arrivals o f Confederate V essels in England.
3. A dvance in M arine Insurance Rates. 4. Burning o f Ship H a r v e y B i r c h . 5. Foreign
Loans Guaranteed b y England. 6 . Fluctuations in Bank Stock and Consols each m onth,
1861. 7. Chronicle o f the m onth o f N ovem ber. 8 . H avre Cotton M arket. 9. Extraordinary
Fall in Consols. 10. L oss o f Cotton Spinners. 11. L iverpool and L on don Chambers o f Com
m erce. 12. R ailw ay from H alifax to Q uebec. 13. Portland the Shortest R ou te to Canada
at present. 14. A rrival o f Cotton at H avre, and Rosin and Turpentine at L iverpool. 15.
French W ar Steamers.
16. The R oy al Charter,...................................................................................
COMMERCIAL
CHRONICLE
95
AND R E V I E W .
1. M eeting o f Congress. 2. Financial Schem e o f the Treasury. 3. R esolutions o f the Banks
o f N ew -Y ork . 4. G overnm ental R ail-R oad. 5. Confiscated Property. 6 . Rem onstrance
to Brazil. 7. Canals o f N e w -Y o rk Closed. 8 . T h eir T onnage for 1S60 and 1861. 9. Im porta
tions o f Dry G oods for E leven M onths. 10. Im ports and Exports for N ovem b er,.................... 100
T HE BOOK T R A D E .
N otices o f N ew Publications in the U nited S tates,.................................................................................. 108
@FedFRASER